The 2026 DC rental inspection checklist: every life-safety, habitability, and systems item DLCP inspectors actually check.
The 2026 DLCP inspection covers life-safety (smoke and CO alarms, egress, electrical, GFCI), habitability (heat, hot water, no active leaks, no peeling paint pre-1978), and operating systems (windows latch, doors lock, no pest activity). Most failures are smoke alarm placement, GFCI in kitchens and bathrooms, and missing handrails.
DLCP publishes the inspector field guide on its website, but it does not mail a checklist before the visit. Use our pre-inspection checklist to self-audit first.
Typical single-family: 30-45 minutes. Multi-unit: budget 20-30 minutes per unit.
Yes, and we recommend it. The inspector will often point out borderline items you can fix before re-inspection.
See what your DC rental license requires — free 60-second check · Done-for-you DC rental licensing
Questions? Call (202) 883-8275, Mon–Fri 9–6 ET · support@rentreadydc.com