If you plan to obtain a business license in the District of Columbia, you are required to have either a registered agent or a resident agent. Both agents serve the purpose of accepting legal summons, government notices, and official communications from third parties on behalf of the property owner.
So what exactly is a registered agent (or resident agent)?
A registered agent (or resident agent) is a person or company officially designated to receive legal documents and government notices on behalf of a business. Every business entity, such as a corporation or LLC, is required by law to have a registered agent in the state where it is formed or does business. Additionally all business license holders, regardless if the license holder is a person or proprietor, are required to appoint a registered agent.
Requirements for Your Registered/Resident Agent:
- They must have a physical address (not a P.O. Box) within the District of Columbia. A registered agent must use a commercial address, while a resident agent must use their home address of record.
- The agent must be available to accept service of process at their address from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, excluding government holidays.
Note: A tenant cannot serve as a registered agent, and the registered agent’s address cannot be the same as the rental property address unless it is a multi-unit property where the owner resides in one of the units.
Restrictions for Your Registered/Resident Agent:
- A tenant cannot serve as a registered agent.
- Cannot be the rental property address unless the agent is the owner of record, the property has multiple units, and the owner resides in one of the units as their primary residence.
- For single-family homes, condos and coops the rental property address cannot be used as the registered/resident agent’s address even if the owner lives on the property.
Why is Choosing the Right Registered/Resident Agent So Important?
If your agent is unavailable when a process server arrives at the designated address, they will be deemed unavailable, and you will be considered non-compliant. Process servers do not notify agents in advance, so when you designate a registered agent, you are confirming that they will be available to accept service.
Additionally, some documents may require an immediate response, with deadlines measured in days or even hours. Your clock starts when the registered agent receives the documents, not when they deliver them to you. This is why it’s crucial to have a reliable and responsive agent.
The Good News?
RentJiffy offers dependable and convenient registered agent services. As your registered agent, we will accept legal notices at our office on your behalf and scan and email the documents to you on the same day—ensuring quick and efficient service.
How to Designate RentJiffy as Your Registered Agent:
It’s easy to make RentJiffy your registered agent. Simply fill out the Rental Property License form, and at Step 4, choose the option to select RentJiffy as your registered agent. If you already have a license, you can still switch to RentJiffy by contacting us at support@rentjiffy.com. We’ll handle the necessary paperwork to update your license, RAD registration, and invoice.