Each September for the last nine years I have trekked down to the Kellogg Conference Hotel/Gallaudet University in Ward 5 to attend the DC Office of the Tenant Advocate’s annual Tenant and Tenant Association Summit.
The Summit is OTA’s largest outreach event – a key part of its mission to educate the three-fifths of DC residents who are renters about their rights. All DC renters- whether they are renting an apartment, condo, co-op or room(s) in a house – enjoy these legal rights.
Why attend the summit
The Summit offers information on an array of topics. You might attend a session on the future of affordable housing, then head to a training on renter rights.
The Summit also provides on-site clinics – you can sign up for free help with your renter questions in the legal clinic. Or, certain renters can register for permanently-reduced annual rent increases. The provision is for the elderly (62+) or disabled (any age) in rent-controlled apartments. There are no income requirements. Find more information and a free application here.
A special perk for Summit attendees is a chance to chat with DC government officials. Here is our Ward 3 lunch table with Council member Mary Cheh.
Seated (left to right): Denise Cherry, Pam Anikeeff, Oscar Loayza, Council member Mary Cheh, Mary Young, Barbara Cline
Experience the Summit
For the first time, you can “attend” a summit session anytime you wish.
OTA has posted links on its website to videos of several of the September 2017 sessions including:
And through ota.dc.gov, renters can get individual help any time (not just at the Summit) with their renter issues, sign up for notices for periodic stakeholder meetings, and join the e-mail alert list for legislative news.
See the OTA website for a complete list of other services and renter resources.