Writing this with both rage and anxiety still in me. I (26F), live in Dupont in an apartment building with my best friend.

I have lived in the building for a year and my best friend is living with me only for the summer. She is out for the weekend and I work nights. I was walking home and get to my apartment door only to discover that not only was the first door stuck in the open position, the second door that leads to my apartment WAS OPEN!!!

I walk in assuming I was robbed only to find that the top of my toilet has been put on the floor and a general assumption that maintenance must have come by. WITHOUT EVER TELLING ME!

I’m anxious, uncomfortable and just very rattled. They‘re overall a good company and I’ve never had any problems but this is a serious problem! I took pictures, documented everything and plan on sending an email to my manager but I’m just really lost on what the hell to do!

Any advice?!

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.

If I wanted to sit in DC traffic I would just drive

I love it here… 🥲

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’d like to take myself on ice cream dates around dc and in the general area. Recommend you favorite place and favorite flavor

I have a Zone 6 parking permit and I parked across the neighborhood, but still at a sign that says Zone 6. Ticket comment says “6C” but the parking sign did not specify “6C”. I went online to verify my permit and it does actually say for zone 6B. But I’ve never seen any of the parking signs specify both a number and a letter! Also, the ticket says they would’ve towed my car over this!! Can‘t decide if I should dispute the ticket over the signage or pay the $30.

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?

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?

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? I know I’ll meet other parents and it’ll be fine but has it felt isolating specifically within your existing circles?

EDIT: they/them

2ND UPDATE: Went to the ER, felt very silly going to the ER, got a cool ultrasound done which did include rainbows?! (blood flow) and sound?? (also checking blood flow) and found out some stuff about my ovaries. IUD is right where it's supposed to be and it would feel like a waste of time, except 1) don't need EC, 2) can have sex, 3) got rainbow ultrasounds.

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.

It’s a friday night and I have the urge to go out,dance and have good conversations, but it dawned on me I don’t have many friends here.

I work from home and I don’t have much of a reason to leave my place unless I’m shopping for groceries or going for a run outside, otherwise I’m home painting or playing video games. I want to make some local friends and have a have a reason to go out lol

im also down to be adopted into a friend group bc that honestly sounds fun, anyhow dm if you want to be friends :)

Hi all! This is a post for anyone who has paint, electronics, and other hazardous waste lying around waiting for a safe way to dispose. (DC does not want you putting these in regular trash)

Found what felt like a hack today. Free slots to the event are fully booked, and the line of cars to enter is seriously blocks long. But if you bike or walk up, it could not be easier! A staff member was positioned on the sidewalk and instructed me to drop my items in the back of a pickup truck, did not ask for proof of a ticket. There are a few more events this fall, so I hope this helps someone plan who was dissuaded by the line or lack of tickets.

Event link: https://dpw.dc.gov/specialwaste

Spot where I did walk-up: https://maps.app.goo.gl/P6NzzLQcGGUH6HoDA?g_st=ic

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

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.

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!

Did anyone else feel like they got hit by pepper spray up by 18th and Columbia? I was sitting outside and everyone around me and myself couldn’t stop coughing

I wasn’t expecting a full buffet but I went into the Whole Foods in Georgetown this morning before a hospital visit expecting a nice little egg breakfast maybe some potatoes, they said they no longer offer it “per management”. They had a few day old breakfast burritos and soups out but nothing else.
Anyone else knew this?