(a) For the purposes of this section, “commercial lease” means a lease for nonresidential real property.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, no estate of inheritance, or for life, or for a longer term than 1 year, in any real property, corporeal or incorporeal, in the District of Columbia, or any declaration or limitation of uses in the same, for any of the estates mentioned, shall be created or take effect, except by deed signed and sealed by the grantor, lessor, or declarant, in person or by power of attorney or by will.
(c) Commercial leases for a longer term than 1 year in any real property in the District of Columbia may be signed on behalf of the owner of real property by an authorized agent.
CREDIT(S)
(Mar. 3, 1901, 31 Stat. 1267, ch. 854, § 492; June 30, 1902, 32 Stat. 531, ch. 1329; June 11, 1992, D.C. Law 9-116, § 2, 39 DCR 3186; Apr. 27, 1994, D.C. Law 10-110, § 2(a), 41 DCR 1023.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 45-306.
1973 Ed., § 45-106.
Legislative History of Laws
Law 9-116, the “Real Property Lease Authorization Amendment Act of 1992,” was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 9-129, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on March 3, 1992, and April 7, 1992, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on April 24, 1992, it was assigned Act No. 9-190 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 9-116 became effective on June 11, 1992.
Law 10-110, the “Property Conveyancing Revision Act of 1994,” was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 10-88, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on January 4, 1994, and February 1, 1994, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on February 18, 1994, it was assigned Act No. 10-198 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 10-110 became effective on April 27, 1994.