District of Columbia · Renters' rights · Updated Oct 2026
District of Columbia tenant rights
Security deposits, repairs, landlord entry, notices and evictions in District of Columbia, in plain English from official sources, with free tools to get your deposit back and ask for repairs.
Guides for District of Columbia renters
Security deposit
Limit, deadline, deductions, penalty and the calculator.
Repairs
The landlord's duty, repair and deduct, withholding rent and a repair letter.
Eviction
Notice periods, court deadlines, illegal lockouts and a timeline tool.
Security deposit in District of Columbia
- Limit
- One month's rent (the first full month's rent), charged only once.
- Deadline to return it
- Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must either return the deposit with interest (no request needed), or notify you in writing (in person, by certified mail or e-mail at your forwarding address) of the amounts it intends to keep. If it sends that notice, it must refund the balance with an itemized statement within 30 days after the notice. At move-out the landlord must ask you for a forwarding mailing or e-mail address.
- Itemized list
- Yes. The 45-day notice must list any unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, or removal charges, with photos or other documentation and a statement of your right to dispute. You have 30 days to dispute; the landlord must respond in writing within 10 days. The final refund must include an itemized statement of each repair and its cost. If the landlord misses these steps, that is prima facie evidence you are owed the full deposit with interest.
- What may be deducted
- Unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear (wear from normal use, age or deterioration is not chargeable), charges for removing items you left behind, and unpaid lawful late fees. A promise to leave the unit 'in good repair' does not make you fix defects you did not cause.
- Interest
- Yes. The deposit must earn interest at not less than the statement savings rate of the DC bank holding it, reset each January 1 and July 1. Interest is paid at the end of any tenancy of 12 months or more. Failure to pay: the interest owed, or three times that in bad faith.
- Separate account
- Yes. The deposit must be held in an interest-bearing escrow account at an insured DC financial institution, used only for deposits. Each year the landlord must post where deposits are held and the interest rates.
- Move-in checklist
- No move-in checklist rule. For move-out, the landlord may inspect within 3 business days before or after the tenancy ends and must give you at least 10 days' written notice of the inspection time.
- If the landlord keeps it wrongly
- The landlord must pay back the amount wrongly withheld; in bad faith, three times that amount. Complaints can also go to the Office of Administrative Hearings.
How to get your deposit back
- Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
- Give your landlord your new address in writing. In District of Columbia: Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must either return the deposit with interest (no request needed), or notify you in writing (in person, by certified mail or e-mail at your forwarding address) of the amounts it intends to keep.
- Wait for the deadline: Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must either return the deposit with interest (no request needed), or notify you in writing (in person, by certified mail or e-mail at your forwarding address) of the amounts it intends to keep.
- If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
- If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $10,000, not counting interest, attorney fees and court costs. Small claims court in District of Columbia on Small Claims Map
Repairs in District of Columbia
- The landlord's duty
- Every DC lease includes an implied warranty of habitability (court-made rule, summarized in the Office of the Tenant Advocate's Tenant Bill of Rights). Landlords must keep units in compliance with the DC Housing Regulations (14 DCMR), including heat, pest control and good repair. Rent above the base rent cannot be increased unless the unit and common areas substantially comply with the housing regulations (§ 42-3502.08), and the Rent Administrator can roll back rents for prolonged violations. After your written notice of mold, the landlord must inspect within 7 days and fix it within 30 days (§ 8-241.04).
- How to ask for repairs
- Make repair requests in writing, or orally in front of a witness, so they count as protected activity. You can also call DC's Department of Buildings for an inspection.
- Repair and deduct
- No statute allows general repair-and-deduct.
- Withholding rent
- The Rental Housing Act protects tenants who 'legally withheld' rent after giving reasonable notice of a housing code violation (§ 42-3505.02(b)(3)), but the Act does not set out a withholding procedure. Get advice from the Office of the Tenant Advocate before withholding.
- Law
- D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.08, 42-3505.02; 14 DCMR
Landlord entry in District of Columbia
At least 48 hours' written notice (e-mail or text allowed; paper if you do not acknowledge), only for a reasonable purpose, and only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., not on Sundays or federal holidays, unless you agree otherwise. No notice in an emergency. Unlawful or repeated unreasonable entry can be stopped by court order with damages. D.C. Code § 42-3505.51.
Eviction in District of Columbia
- Notice for unpaid rent
- No eviction case for nonpayment if you owe less than $600. Before filing, the landlord must give at least 10 days' written notice with the amount owed and a ledger, by certified mail (or tracked delivery) AND by hand delivery or posting on your door. You can stay if you pay the full balance. A late fee alone can never be the reason for eviction.
- Notice for a lease violation
- 30-day notice to correct a lease violation (other than nonpayment). If you fix it within 30 days, you cannot be evicted for it. Notices must also be sent to the Rent Administrator.
- Ending a month-to-month tenancy
- Landlords cannot end a tenancy just because the lease expired or by a simple month-to-month notice: as long as you pay rent, you can be evicted only for reasons listed in the law (for example 90 days' notice for the owner's personal use or a sale for personal use, 30 days for a lease violation). Tenant notice to leave is not set by this statute.
- Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit
- Not set by statute. The summons gives an initial hearing date in DC Superior Court's Landlord and Tenant Branch; go to it (in person or remotely as allowed).
- Lockouts and utility shutoffs
- Yes. No tenant may be evicted except after a court case and only for the reasons and with the notices required by law (§ 42-3505.01). Evictions also cannot be carried out on days below freezing, above 95°F, or when it is raining or snowing.
- Court self-help
- The court's eviction self-help page
- Law
- D.C. Code § 42-3505.01
Rent increases and rent control in District of Columbia
- Notice of a rent increase
- A rent increase is not effective until the first rent due date more than 60 calendar days after written notice. D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b) (as amended in 2023).
- Rent control
- Yes, DC rent stabilization (rent control) applies to many older buildings (with exemptions, for example some small landlords and newer buildings that are properly registered as exempt). For an occupied rent-controlled unit, the yearly increase may not exceed the CPI-W adjustment plus 2%, and never more than 10%; rent can go up only once every 12 months, and only if the unit substantially complies with the housing code and the landlord is licensed and registered. Registered elderly tenants and tenants with disabilities: no more than the lowest of the CPI-W adjustment, the Social Security COLA, or 5%. For increases taking effect May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 the caps are 4.1% (2.1% for registered elderly/disabled tenants). D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.06, 42-3502.08(h), 42-3502.24.
Late fees in District of Columbia
At most 5% of the rent due, only if the written lease states the maximum, and only after 5 days late (or a longer lease grace period). Only one late fee per late payment, no interest on late fees, no eviction for unpaid late fees, and no late fee on a subsidy's share. D.C. Code § 42-3505.31.
Retaliation in District of Columbia
Landlords may not retaliate (evict, raise rent, cut services, refuse to renew, harass) when you use any legal right. If within 6 months before the landlord's action you asked for code repairs (in writing or with a witness), complained to DC officials, lawfully withheld rent after notice, joined a tenant organization, enforced your lease, or sued the landlord, retaliation is presumed and the landlord must disprove it by clear and convincing evidence. D.C. Code § 42-3505.02.
Small claims court in District of Columbia
Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer.
Limit: $10,000, not counting interest, attorney fees and court costs.
Where to get free help in District of Columbia
Good to know in District of Columbia
- You cannot be taken to eviction court for nonpayment if you owe less than $600.
- Most DC tenants can only be evicted for specific legal reasons, even after the lease ends.
- Rent increases need 60 days' notice. Rent-controlled units are capped at CPI-W + 2% (max 10%); 4.1% for 2026-27, and 2.1% for registered elderly and disabled tenants.
Recent law changes
D.C. Law 25-65 (Nov. 2023) set the 60-day rent increase notice. D.C. Law 26-20 (July 18, 2025), 26-80 (Dec. 31, 2025) and 26-108 (Apr. 16, 2026) amended the eviction section § 42-3505.01; the current text requires a 10-day pre-filing notice for nonpayment ($600 minimum) and expedited 10-day notices for certain violent crimes (cases filed after December 31, 2025). D.C. Law 26-156 (Aug. 14, 2026) and 25-308 amended § 42-3502.17 (25-308 not yet funded/implemented).
Free tools for District of Columbia renters
Pre-set for District of Columbia. They run in your browser and send nothing.
Deposit return calculator for District of Columbia
Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Security deposit demand letter for District of Columbia
A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.
Repair request letter for District of Columbia
Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.
Eviction notice timeline for District of Columbia
Got a notice from your landlord? Enter the kind of notice and the day you got it to see the dates that follow from your state's rule, what your landlord may not do, and where to get free help fast.
This is not legal advice. Eviction deadlines are short and missing one can cost you your home. Read your notice carefully and contact legal aid or your court's self-help center right away.
Questions about renters' rights in District of Columbia
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in District of Columbia?
One month's rent (the first full month's rent), charged only once.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in District of Columbia?
Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must either return the deposit with interest (no request needed), or notify you in writing (in person, by certified mail or e-mail at your forwarding address) of the amounts it intends to keep. If it sends that notice, it must refund the balance with an itemized statement within 30 days after the notice. At move-out the landlord must ask you for a forwarding mailing or e-mail address.
What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit in District of Columbia?
The landlord must pay back the amount wrongly withheld; in bad faith, three times that amount. Complaints can also go to the Office of Administrative Hearings.
What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in District of Columbia?
Unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear (wear from normal use, age or deterioration is not chargeable), charges for removing items you left behind, and unpaid lawful late fees. A promise to leave the unit 'in good repair' does not make you fix defects you did not cause.
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in District of Columbia?
Yes. The deposit must earn interest at not less than the statement savings rate of the DC bank holding it, reset each January 1 and July 1. Interest is paid at the end of any tenancy of 12 months or more. Failure to pay: the interest owed, or three times that in bad faith.
How do I ask my landlord for repairs in District of Columbia?
Make repair requests in writing, or orally in front of a witness, so they count as protected activity. You can also call DC's Department of Buildings for an inspection.
Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in District of Columbia?
No statute allows general repair-and-deduct.
Can I withhold rent for repairs in District of Columbia?
The Rental Housing Act protects tenants who 'legally withheld' rent after giving reasonable notice of a housing code violation (§ 42-3505.02(b)(3)), but the Act does not set out a withholding procedure. Get advice from the Office of the Tenant Advocate before withholding.
How much notice does a landlord need to enter in District of Columbia?
At least 48 hours' written notice (e-mail or text allowed; paper if you do not acknowledge), only for a reasonable purpose, and only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., not on Sundays or federal holidays, unless you agree otherwise. No notice in an emergency. Unlawful or repeated unreasonable entry can be stopped by court order with damages. D.C. Code § 42-3505.51.
How much notice does a landlord have to give for unpaid rent in District of Columbia?
No eviction case for nonpayment if you owe less than $600. Before filing, the landlord must give at least 10 days' written notice with the amount owed and a ledger, by certified mail (or tracked delivery) AND by hand delivery or posting on your door. You can stay if you pay the full balance. A late fee alone can never be the reason for eviction.
How much notice for a lease violation in District of Columbia?
30-day notice to correct a lease violation (other than nonpayment). If you fix it within 30 days, you cannot be evicted for it. Notices must also be sent to the Rent Administrator.
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month lease in District of Columbia?
Landlords cannot end a tenancy just because the lease expired or by a simple month-to-month notice: as long as you pay rent, you can be evicted only for reasons listed in the law (for example 90 days' notice for the owner's personal use or a sale for personal use, 30 days for a lease violation). Tenant notice to leave is not set by this statute.
How long do I have to respond to an eviction lawsuit in District of Columbia?
Not set by statute. The summons gives an initial hearing date in DC Superior Court's Landlord and Tenant Branch; go to it (in person or remotely as allowed).
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in District of Columbia?
Yes. No tenant may be evicted except after a court case and only for the reasons and with the notices required by law (§ 42-3505.01). Evictions also cannot be carried out on days below freezing, above 95°F, or when it is raining or snowing.
How much notice is needed for a rent increase in District of Columbia?
A rent increase is not effective until the first rent due date more than 60 calendar days after written notice. D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b) (as amended in 2023).
Is there rent control in District of Columbia?
Yes, DC rent stabilization (rent control) applies to many older buildings (with exemptions, for example some small landlords and newer buildings that are properly registered as exempt). For an occupied rent-controlled unit, the yearly increase may not exceed the CPI-W adjustment plus 2%, and never more than 10%; rent can go up only once every 12 months, and only if the unit substantially complies with the housing code and the landlord is licensed and registered. Registered elderly tenants and tenants with disabilities: no more than the lowest of the CPI-W adjustment, the Social Security COLA, or 5%. For increases taking effect May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 the caps are 4.1% (2.1% for registered elderly/disabled tenants). D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.06, 42-3502.08(h), 42-3502.24.
Is there a limit on late fees in District of Columbia?
At most 5% of the rent due, only if the written lease states the maximum, and only after 5 days late (or a longer lease grace period). Only one late fee per late payment, no interest on late fees, no eviction for unpaid late fees, and no late fee on a subsidy's share. D.C. Code § 42-3505.31.
Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in District of Columbia?
Landlords may not retaliate (evict, raise rent, cut services, refuse to renew, harass) when you use any legal right. If within 6 months before the landlord's action you asked for code repairs (in writing or with a witness), complained to DC officials, lawfully withheld rent after notice, joined a tenant organization, enforced your lease, or sued the landlord, retaliation is presumed and the landlord must disprove it by clear and convincing evidence. D.C. Code § 42-3505.02.
What is the small claims limit in District of Columbia?
$10,000, not counting interest, attorney fees and court costs.
- D.C. Code § 42-3502.17; 14 DCMR §§ 308-311
- D.C. Code § 42-3505.01 Evictions
- D.C. Code § 42-3505.31 Late fees
- D.C. Code § 42-3505.51 Access by housing provider
- D.C. Code § 42-3505.02 Retaliatory action
- D.C. Code § 42-3502.06 Rent adjustments
- 14 DCMR chapter 3 (security deposit regulations 308-311)
- DC Office of the Tenant Advocate: Tenant Bill of Rights (Sept. 25, 2026 revision)
- OTA: 2026 rent increase caps (4.1% / 2.1%)
Last checked: Oct 2026.