I stayed with Jen and Brady over the summer and would highly recommend their basement apartment to anyone coming to D.C. on a temporary basis.
The Space: Jen and Brady's basement apartment has been recently renovated. It is a really nice space with new fixtures, no smell, and plenty of privacy. While it is a basement, the ceilings are quite high. I am 6'3" and did not have to duck to go through doors and didn't feel confined by the basement's dimensions. The bathroom is a little small, but the shower is always hot and has good pressure. I really enjoyed this apartment for the summer.
The Hosts: Jen and Brady are great hosts! They are always available yet never intrusive. They do have a dog, Cooper. He is a really sweet guy, but he is big and playful. I would absolutely stay with Jen, Brady and Cooper again.
The Neighborhood: Petworth is a cool neighborhood. It is mostly residential, which limits your dining options when compared with neighborhoods like Columbia Heights or Dupont, but there are some gems around. A late-night walk home from the metro could feel sketchy, but I generally felt quite safe in Petworth. It is about a 15 minute walk to the metro and Safeway, but there is a bus stop just down the street and Uber is everywhere.