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Real Estate Commission cites steady renewals, updates seller-disclosure form to include flooding
Summary
Edward Downs, chair of the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission, reported licensing and renewal figures, said the Commission handled 70 complaints in FY25, and described a rule change to the seller disclosure form (17 DCMR §2708) adding questions about flooding and clarifying condominium disclosures.
Edward Downs, Chairperson of the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission, told the Committee on Housing the commission is focused on consumer protection, licensure integrity and outreach to students and potential new entrants to the profession.
Downs said the commission received 1,023 new license applications in fiscal year 2025 (a 3.4% increase over FY24) and that 13,430 licensees renewed during the FY25 renewal cycle across license types. He told the committee the commission presently has four vacancies (broker, salesperson, property manager and attorney) and is working with the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments to fill them. "We anticipate resolutions being sent to the council soon," Downs said.
On consumer protection, Downs said the Commission received 70 complaints in FY25; none resulted in disciplinary action that fiscal year, whereas in FY24 64 complaints were received and two resulted in disciplinary action. The Commission said it screens complaints for license-law violations and often finds matters are misdirected to the Commission rather than to enforcement or civil forums.
Downs also described a substantive regulatory update: the seller-disclosure form (17 DCMR Section 2708) was amended to reflect the Omnibus Domestic Partnership Equality Amendment Act of 2008, clarify condominium owners’ responsibilities and add a question about known flooding or water intrusion on a property. "Given the number of flooding incidents in the districts over the last few years, inquiring about instances of flooding on the property is pivotal," he said.
Members asked Downs about enforcement of expired-license fines (about 50 in the last 12 months), coordination on property-management oversight, and the process for continuing-education offerings; Downs said the Commission exercises a narrow license-law focus but supports exploring legislative paths to bring property managers under clearer regulation where appropriate.
