The DC Department of Buildings has levied $1,218,612 in fines on Equity Residential for violations at 3003 Van Ness over the past three years. Almost 750 violations were cited.

The information was retrieved from the DOB’s SCOUT online data system and Landlord Violations Tool, covering the period between June 23, 2021, and June 6, 2024.

The Department of Buildings is currently conducting a building-wide inspection of 3003 Van Ness, as part of its Proactive Inspection Program. DOB chooses buildings for the program in which the landlord has a past history of a high number of violations.

Over the past year alone, DOB has issued more than 700 citations for violations at 3003 Van Ness as part of the building-wide proactive inspection. It has been reported that less than half of the 625 units have been inspected to date, so it is expected that the total number of violations and fines likely will rise.

It is not clear whether Equity Residential has paid any of the $1.2 million in fines to date.

Some of the violations cited are:

• Failure to maintain stairs and/or other walking surfaces in sound condition, good repair and free from hazardous conditions

• Failure to tightly secure the lock on entrance doors to dwelling units or sleeping units and/or failure to maintain locks on means of egress doors

• Failure to maintain all fire and smokestop doors in operable condition

• Failure of the owner to keep structure free from rodent infestation

• Failure to correct electrical system that constitutes a hazard to the occupants or the structure

• Failure to install an approved carbon monoxide alarm in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in dwelling units located in a building containing a fuel-burning appliance

• Failure to install or maintain single- or multiple-station smoke alarms in Group I-1 and R occupancies, and dwellings not regulated as Group R occupancies

• Failure to maintain in a safe and sanitary condition a public toilet facility

• Failure to have at least one grounded-type receptacle or a receptacle with a ground fault circuit interrupter in every laundry area

• Failure to have a means of egress indicated with approved Exit signs

• Failure to install an approved permanent sign adjacent to each manual fire alarm box that reads: “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT” where fire alarm systems are not monitored by a supervising station

• Failure to keep every plumbing stack, vent, waste and sewer line free from obstructions, leaks, or defect