contracts

DC Seller Disclosure Act

D.C. Code §42-1301 et seq. requires the seller of DC property with one to four residential units to deliver a signed disclosure statement on the Mayor-approved form before or when the buyer signs the purchase agreement, but only if the buyer states in writing an intent to reside there. It covers actually known defects, including lead service line information. If delivered late, the buyer may terminate within 5 calendar days of receipt. The duty is the seller's; the agent is liable only for knowingly joining the seller's fraud.

Exam tip: Seller's duty, not the agent's; five calendar days after late receipt; buyer must intend to reside. Investor purchases fall outside the Act.
Example: A buyer signs Monday and receives the disclosure Wednesday. He has until the following Monday to terminate, unless a loan application after written lender warning, settlement, or occupancy waives it.

1. Under the DC Seller Disclosure Act, the duty to complete and deliver the disclosure statement falls on:

Answer & explanation

Answer: C. §42-1311 imposes the duty on the transferor. The agent is liable only for knowingly acting in concert with the seller to commit fraud.

Related terms & state variants

Stigmatized Property Rule (DC) (DC)latent defect material fact

Sources

Source verification pending. Confirm current requirements with your state regulator.

Last verified: 2026-10-23