The tenant association today sent a formal letter to Brian Hanlon,, Director of the DC Department of Buildings, requesting clarification of its policies regarding elevators.

Previously, DOB employees had said that DC regulations require that only one elevator in an apartment building be in working order. However, that appears to contradict the plain language of DC law.

In the 11-story, 300+ unit West building of 3003 Van Ness, two of the four elevators have been out of service since mid-December 2024. (One of the two appears to be working intermittently now.) In the 11-story South building, one or two of the three elevators is frequently out of service.

Equity Residential has said that it will begin replacing all seven elevators in the two buildings later this year, proceeding one elevator at a time, with work on each elevator taking several weeks. However, the tenant association has been complaining to both Equity Residential and to city agencies about elevator malfunctions for many years — therefore, residents have little sympathy with Equity’s claim that it will take many more months even to start replacing the elevators.

According to DOB policy as currently stated, such severe disruptions are permitted by law. However, the plain language of the law appears to state otherwise:

“The owner of any apartment building or a house consisting of five (5) or more floors which contains one (1) or more elevators shall maintain the elevators in good working order.” (14 DCMR § 502.1)

“Any alterations, repairs, or replacements necessary to maintenance or restoration of elevator service shall be provided by the owner promptly after the stoppage or malfunction in order that service is restored as soon as reasonably possible.” (14 DCMR § 502.2)

Read the entire letter to DOB and previous correspondence at this link.