District of Columbia Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement (Investor PDF)
An investor-ready purchase and sale agreement drafted for District of Columbia transactions, plus a plain-English summary of what District of Columbia law expects in a residential purchase contract. Free PDF, no signup required.
District of Columbia Purchase and Sale Agreement
Free PDF • Updated July 2026
Part of our free real estate investor forms library.
What District of Columbia Requires in a Purchase Contract
These are the contract and disclosure requirements our research identified for District of Columbia residential transactions, with statute citations. Requirements change; always confirm the current rule before closing.
Seller's Property Condition Disclosure Statement
D.C. Code ss.42-1301 to 42-1311
Seller of residential property with 1-4 dwelling units (where the purchaser states in writing an intent to reside there) must deliver the Mayor-approved disclosure form before or at the time the purchaser executes the purchase agreement; if delivered late, purchaser may terminate within 5 calendar days of receipt (right ends at loan application with lender notice, settlement, or occupancy).
Applies to: residential 1-4 units, owner-occupant purchasers (exempt: court-ordered/foreclosure/fiduciary, family and co-tenant transfers, government, new never-inhabited construction)
Soil Characteristics Disclosure
D.C. Code s.42-608
Every contract conveying DC real property must state the characteristics of the soil on the property (per the Soil Conservation Service 'Soil Survey' classification) and include a notation that further information can be obtained from a soil testing laboratory, the DC Department of Environmental Services (now DOEE), or the Soil Conservation Service; contracts must also note any Heritage Tree on the property and removal restrictions.
Applies to: all real property conveyance contracts in DC
Underground Storage Tank Disclosure
D.C. Code s.8-113.02(g)
Seller must inform the buyer IN WRITING, before entering into the contract of sale, of the existence or removal of any underground storage tanks of which the seller has knowledge (existing tanks or tanks removed during the seller's ownership); standard DC contract forms carry a UST disclosure paragraph; enforcement/penalties via D.C. Code s.8-113.09.
Applies to: all real property sales in DC
Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA)
D.C. Code s.42-3404.01 et seq.; single-family exemption s.42-3404.09(1A)/(1B) via D.C. Law 22-120 (2018)
Before selling a rental accommodation, owner must give tenants a statutory offer of sale and opportunity to purchase. Since July 3, 2018, single-family accommodations (including SFD with one ADU or a single rental condo/co-op unit) are EXEMPT, except elderly (62+) or disabled tenants with leases signed by March 31, 2018 and occupancy by April 15, 2018 retain rights; owner of an exempt single-family unit with a tenant must still give the tenant notice within 3 days of receiving an offer so the tenant can claim elderly/disabled status (20 days to respond).
Applies to: rented residential accommodations; vacant single-family sales handled in practice with a TOPA vacancy/exemption affidavit at settlement rather than a full offer of sale
Condominium Resale Certificate
D.C. Code s.42-1904.11
Condo resale requires the seller to furnish a resale certificate from the association (assessments, budget, reserves, litigation, insurance, capital expenditures) on or before the 10th business day after contract execution; purchaser may cancel within 3 business days after receipt (or if documents are never provided), with full deposit refund; cooperative resales are handled analogously under co-op documents. No verbatim contract text mandated.
Applies to: condo units (co-ops analogous)
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (federal + DC lead law) Verbatim language required
42 U.S.C. s.4852d; D.C. Code s.8-231.01 et seq.
Federal pre-1978 lead disclosure applies (verbatim Lead Warning Statement in contract); DC's Lead-Hazard Prevention and Elimination Act adds disclosure of known lead conditions and pending lead orders.
Applies to: pre-1978
District of Columbia Closing Practice at a Glance
| Deed convention | Special Warranty Deed is customary for arm's-length residential sales. |
| Transfer tax | DC Transfer Tax (D.C. Code s.47-903, paid by seller/grantor) + DC Recordation Tax (D.C. Code s.42-1103, paid by buyer/grantee) - each 1.1% of consideration under $400,000 and 1.45% at $400,000 or more (residential) |
| Customary payer | split by custom: seller pays the transfer tax, buyer pays the recordation tax (negotiable by contract); first-time DC homebuyer recordation reduction to 0.725% for qualifying purchases (price cap approx. $777k, indexed) |
| Attorney closing | Attorney not required for a typical closing. Title company jurisdiction; closings conducted by title/settlement companies, attorney not required (many settlement officers happen to be attorneys but there is no UPL mandate as in Delaware). |
| Witness and notary | Notary acknowledgment only; D.C. Code s.42-401/s.42-101 requires deeds to be acknowledged and recorded, no witnesses required. FP-7/C transfer tax return must accompany the deed for recording. |
More Investor Resources
Disclaimer: This template and summary are provided free for reference and educational purposes. Clearway Home Buyers is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by downloading or using these forms. Real estate law varies by state and by transaction. Review any form with a licensed District of Columbia attorney before use. Read the full disclaimer.
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