What Happens If My Basic Business License Expires?

If your Basic Business License (BBL) expires, you may face costly penalties, compliance issues, and potential legal complications. Maintaining an active and valid license is essential to protecting your rights as a landlord in Washington, DC. Below, we outline what to expect and what steps to take if your license lapses.

If you are no longer renting the property or have sold it, be sure to cancel your license to avoid unnecessary penalties. For step-by-step guidance, refer to our support article: I’ve sold my property or will no longer be renting it. Is there anything I need to do?

Consequences of an Expired Basic Business License

1. Immediate Penalties

• The day after your license expires, the District imposes a $250 penalty.
• If your license remains expired for 30 days, an additional $250 penalty will be applied.
• Further penalties may accumulate the longer your license remains lapsed.

2. Compliance & Legal Risks

• Operating a rental property without a valid license is a violation of DC law, which may result in fines or legal enforcement actions.
  
  
• One of the most serious consequences of an expired license is that you will lose standing in Landlord-Tenant Court.
  
  If you are unlicensed—whether because you never obtained a license or allowed it to lapse—you effectively forfeit your legal rights as a landlord in court. This means:
  
  
  • You cannot enforce lease agreements
  • You cannot collect unpaid rent through legal action
  • You cannot initiate eviction proceedings
• The court may refuse to hear your case, leaving you with no legal recourse against tenants.
  
  To protect your rights and avoid legal complications, maintaining an active and valid license is crucial.
  
  

3. Delays in Renewing or Reinstating Your License

• If your license remains expired for more than 6 months, you cannot simply renew it—you will be required to apply for a new license instead, including new inspections and filing new applications. 
  • This scenario would also mean a lapse in licensure which may have its own legal ramifications.

How to Avoid Future Expiration Issues

• Set Calendar Reminders – Your Basic Business License is typically valid for two years. Set a reminder at least 60 days before expiration to begin the renewal process.
• Monitor Renewal Notices from DLCP – The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) typically sends renewal reminders, but it is your responsibility to track your license status. DC sends renewal reminders strictly as a courtesy.
• Use RentJiffy’s Renewal Assistance – We can help ensure your license remains active and guide you through the renewal process.
  • Ensure You Receive RentJiffy Renewal Emails –
    • Add RentJiffy to your trusted email contacts to ensure you receive renewal reminders.
    • We send renewal notices 60, 30, and 15 days before expiration—but only if we handled your last license issued.
    • If you handled your last issued license independently, our system cannot track your renewal status and thus you will not receive reminders from us.

Need Help with Renewal or Reinstatement?

Avoid penalties and stay compliant—contact RentJiffy today!