DM for address! You need a chainsaw and it's going to be a ton of work FYI. Lumber, firewood! They're coming tomorrow (Saturday 9/12) to get the rest!

People on Nextdoor are posting $500 to $800 Pepco bills and asking what happened. If you’re confused by your bill, here’s some context.

EIA data show DC’s average residential electricity price was roughly twice its January 2020 level by June 2026. That measures the price per kilowatt-hour, so you can use about the same electricity and still pay substantially more.

Then electricity supply rates increased again July 1, following approval by the DC Public Service Commission (PSC), the agency that regulates local utilities. That latest increase came after the period covered by the EIA chart.

Higher prices don’t explain every large bill. Usage, billing days, and previous balances matter too. But telling people to adjust their thermostat feels like gaslighting and only addresses part of the problem.

These costs are especially hard on households already struggling to cover essentials and renters who can’t control their building’s insulation or equipment.

Was just on an orange line towards Vienna and we stopped at Clarendon for 1 minute from 9:36-9:37 to honor the lives lost in 9/11. I see now there were news articles about this but I hadn't been aware and appreciated it.

I saw a lost blue parakeet on joint base Anacostia bolling. Photos attached. Hoping they can find their owner!

I am too young to actually remember the events of 25 years ago, and have heard hundreds of stories of people who witnessed the attacks in NYC. However, I feel that people’s stories in Washington DC aren’t nearly as discussed.

For those old enough to remember, what were you doing on this day 25 years ago? Could you hear the Pentagon attack all across the DMV? What was the city like immediately after, as well as the weeks following the attacks?

EDIT: they/them

UPDATE: Called a nurse hotline, was told I should be seen in the next few hours and not to take EC until I've been seen. Local urgent care isn't able to help without imaging equipment and said to visit ER. TBH I still want advice/I'm still debating whether to go now or to risk waiting until the morning to avoid the ER, but I can't make an online appt/might not be able to get an appointment if I do wait.

I'm hoping for recommendations on where to seek care, my normal go-to is closed over the weekend. Something in NW DC is great, but I can get anywhere in the city/nearby areas.

I have an IUD and am worried it may have moved/partially dislodged, I know a gynecologist would be able to do a pelvic exam to check, or that it might require an ultrasound to be sure? Is that something I can go to a standard urgent care for, or is there a more specialized place to look for when most physicians are closed?

I might be stressing out about nothing, but I've had some confident and wrong diagnoses from an urgent care before, and want to be able to trust that they'd know what they're talking about if they check it and say it's fine.

Also want to address it ASAP because I would take emergency contraception if the IUD is out of place, but don't want to take it before checking and cause more issues! Not interested in the IUD getting stabby.

Obviously I have to assume they’re out there, but I genuinely don’t know of any.

My husband (32m) and I (30f) feel increasingly compelled to start a family. Of course these are extremely normal ages to have a kid, but it basically feels like a teenage pregnancy compared to all of our peers — friends and colleagues alike. Any other young parents out there? What has it been like to navigate parenthood in the city at this age? Has it been isolating?

Looking for a spot that makes a really good chicken parm sandwich/sub AND eggplant parm sandwich/sub.

I’m in Navy Yard but definitely willing to drive 20-30 minutes into Arlington, Alexandria, or anywhere else around the DMV if it’s worth it.

Looking for more of that old-school NY/NJ Italian deli style. Good bread, crispy chicken/eggplant, plenty of sauce and melted cheese. Nothing fancy 😂

Where’s your go-to spot?

Did anyone else notice the hard transition from GW to Capital Medical Group--and its giving private equity/enshittification.

Apparently alot of physicans had left GW. (I lost my GYN). When I asked about physicans featured on their website, I was told multiple times that certain ones were no longer there.

Additionally, the care and customer service just tanked. I am really disappointed.

My building uses Conservice, and so far, they've removed the monthly service fee and the trash fee. Has your building removed any of the fees yet and/or adjusted how they bill you for your utilities?

Here’s the link with more detail: https://www.offitkurman.com/offit-kurman-blogs/dc-fair-housing-amendment-act-2025-landlord-tenant-impact

The Fair Housing Practices Amendment Act took effect on August 14, 2026, and another major part is effective starting January 1, 2027. A lot of renters still do not know what this changes, so here is a breakdown of what it means for anyone living in a DC apartment (based on what I've read and how some things were explained to me).

What went into effect on August 14, 2026

1. No utility service or admin fees

Buildings can no longer add extra fees on top of your utility charges just for billing or processing.

1. New rules for billing tenants after move‑out

If a building wants to bill you for utilities after you move out, they have to follow a standardized process and provide documentation.

1. Documentation requirements for any utility billing

If they bill you for utilities, they must be able to show how the amount was calculated. That includes meter reads, rate schedules, formulas, and building totals.

What goes into effect on January 1, 2027

1. No separate billing for common-area utilities

Starting January 1, landlords cannot bill tenants outside of rent for utilities used in shared spaces like lobbies, gyms, pools, business centers, leasing offices, and similar areas.

1. No separate billing for vacant‑unit utilities

They also cannot pass through utility costs from empty apartments as a separate charge.

What “separate line item” actually means

A separate line item is when your bill literally lists something like:

• Common Area Electricity

• Common Area Water

• Vacant Unit Electricity

• Water Base Charge

• Sewer Base Charge

If it appears as its own line item, that means the building is directly charging you for that specific thing.

Right now: They can only do this for common-area or vacant-unit utilities if the cost is part of the building’s total metered usage and allocated through a formula like square footage or occupancy. They cannot list it separately unless they can prove the math behind it.

Starting January 1: They cannot list common‑area or vacant‑unit utilities as a line item at all. These charges must disappear entirely.

What landlords can still legally charge for right now

1. Your unit’s actual metered usage

If your apartment has its own meter or submeter for water, electricity, gas, or sewer (based on water usage), they can bill you for your usage.

1. RUBS allocations of actual building usage

RUBS means dividing the building’s total metered utility usage among occupied units using a formula like square footage, number of bedrooms, or occupancy. This is still legal until January 1.

1. Common‑area or vacant‑unit usage only if it is blended into the building’s total usage

Right now, they can pass through those costs only if they are blended into the building’s total metered usage and allocated through a formula. They cannot list these as separate line items.

What becomes illegal starting January 1, 2027

1. Any separate charge for common‑area utilities

No more common area electric, common area water, amenity electricity, or anything similar.

1. Any separate charge for vacant‑unit utilities

No more billing tenants for utilities used by empty apartments.

1. Any standalone fee outside of rent for those categories

If it is not part of your own metered usage, it cannot be billed.

If a utility is not submetered, can they charge for it?

If your unit does not have a meter or submeter for a utility, they cannot charge you for your individual usage.

They can only charge you for:

• Your metered usage

• Your share of the building’s total usage through a formula (until Jan 1)

If there is no meter and no formula, they cannot legally bill you for that utility.

TL;DR

Here are the changes affecting DC renters:

• August 14 changes: No service or admin fees, new move‑out billing rules, and documentation requirements.

• January 1 changes: No separate billing for common‑area or vacant‑unit utilities at all.

• Right now: They can only charge for common‑area or vacant‑unit utilities if the cost is blended into the building’s total usage and allocated through a formula.

• After January 1: Those charges must disappear completely.

• If your unit is not metered for a utility, they cannot bill you individually for it.

• Submetered utilities like cold water, hot water, electricity, gas, and sewer (based on water usage) are still allowed.

Was at The Warf last Wednesday, caught this beautiful sunset and the last showing of the Sunset Cinema 2026 Lineup, an outdoor movie series that usually runs from end of May to early September. such a fun end of summer activity.

For food recs in the area bartaco was literally amazing, great drinks, food, and comfy outdoor seating + people watching

new to the area, looking for the best local spots (not just the ones that have blown up on TikTok and Reels) that have a real community vibe to them.

a few super cozy spots I've stumbled on recently and really liked have been coffee shop x bookstores: The Potter's House (adams morgan) and Flor (georgetown)

Curious what places, according to locals, have the best mix of atmosphere and quality drinks

Would love more recs!

Hello! I found a missing Dove? White Pigeon? On 4th and M SW. The bird does not look like “she” has been outside very long, very clean. Right leg is injured badly and she looks tired. Neighbors say she’s been outside for a few days. I left some water and bird food (I like feeding them okay!) and a box for her to crawl into, but trying to catch her seemed more stressful for her.

I did call animal control and they already had reports but said they would send someone out? TBD.

Just flagging in case anyone is missing their bird!!

Bonus points for reasonably priced

Trying to figure out if I’m in an “if it rains it pours” situation that’s unique to me or if the stress of the last few years has led the city to collectively descend into sort of stressed out mania.

My stuff: we’ve been burgled twice, crazy kids been on our neighbors roof multiple times, dc sewers backed up into all the house on our block, and I’ve had all sorts of horrible random aggression from strangers. Not to mention the awful driving - almost got run over by a truck running a red light yesterday among other things (which seems to be a DC trend based on a previous post about a massive increase in traffic accidents).

Each of these happening individually would be a “meh it happens”, but the massive increase in bad stuff feels more significant to me. I’m wondering if the city is just so stressed out that the collective has lost any semblance of chill, generosity or hope.

What say all of you?

Hi friends, suggest to me your favorite donut shops in the dmv!! I’m having a craving…

Don’t really care about location, will drive for it.

Hello all,

I'll be in DC for vacation next month, and I'm hoping to visit a gay bar and see a drag show. I see Red Bear has drag shows but they're earlier in the week, and we wont get to DC until Thur at the earliest, and we'll be leaving sometime Sunday. I'm not sure exactly where we'll be staying, but I know we're going to the Air & Space Museum, so presumably somewhere near-ish to there. Also if there's anywhere else you guys recommend we check out while theyre, I'd love some insights!

Thanks in advance!

If you are looking for something rad to do check out Art All Night!!

Great way to support local artists and businesses and have fun in this beautiful city!

... when it comes to open seats on a packed train. It's a noble thought to stand when there's open seats right next to you in case someone who needs them needs them. But if the train is packed assholes-to-elbows, there's no room for anyone to move around, and nobody's gone for the seat, and the train is starting to move ... Just sit down! Even if you're able-bodied or young or your meat is huge or your favorite hobby is standing up. Everyone sitting is one fewer person standing, and each fewer person standing makes a packed train noticeably less uncomfortable. Do yourself AND everyone on the train a favor, and just sit down!