The Van Ness South Tenants Association today filed a Notice of Intent to File Petition of Relief with the DC Department of Housing and Community Development. The notice announces the tenant association’s intention of challenging Equity Residential’s proposed transfer of the ownership rights of 3003 Van Ness, which Equity claims is not a sale under the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA).

Tenant associations often use their TOPA rights to negotiate for for better living conditions. Given the serious and chronic problems residents of 3003 Van Ness have experienced under Equity Residential’s management, they hope to see substantial improvements - whether under a new owner, or if they purchase the building themselves.

The Notice of Intent to File Petition of Relief states:

“The Van Ness South Tenants Association hereby gives notice of its intent to file a timely Petition for Relief challenging the claimed exemption from the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) contained in the Notice of Transfer of Ownership Interest dated June 10, 2026 (attached).”

“We believe that the claimed exemption from TOPA raises substantial questions regarding whether the proposed transaction constitutes a sale under the Rental Housing Conversion and Sale Act.”

Read the entire Notice of Intent to File Petition of Relief.