How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in District of Columbia?

Security deposit may not exceed one month's rent. (14 DCMR § 308) The deposit must be accounted for within 45 days after the tenancy ends (D.C. Code § 42-3502.17).

Is there a limit on late fees in District of Columbia?

A late fee may not exceed 5% of the monthly rent and may not be charged until rent is 5 days overdue. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.31)

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in District of Columbia?

Landlord must give at least 48 hours' notice before entering, except in an emergency. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.51)

How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in District of Columbia?

Landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and may generally only do so for a reason allowed by the Rental Housing Act. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01)

What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in District of Columbia?

Tenant has 30 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01) The case is filed as an action for possession in Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Landlord and Tenant Branch. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.

Does a residential lease have to be in writing in District of Columbia?

A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. District of Columbia tenancies are governed by the Rental Housing Act of 1985, and a written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to District of Columbia with the statutory citations printed in it.

District of Columbia Residential Lease Agreement

A lease that works in the District of Columbia has to respect the Rental Housing Act of 1985: a security deposit capped at one month's rent, accounted for within 45 days of move-out, and late fees limited to 5% of the rent. Below is every number that governs a District of Columbia tenancy, with the statute it comes from.

Read the whole lease before you pay. $14.99 to download, or three for $29.

District of Columbia rental law at a glance

Each row is the rule Landy applies when it builds a District of Columbia lease. The citation is printed in the finished document too, so a tenant can check it.

District of Columbia landlord-tenant rules with statutory citations
Rule	District of Columbia	Citation
Security deposit limit	one month's rentSecurity deposit may not exceed one month's rent.	14 DCMR § 308
Deposit return deadline	45 daysLandlord must return the deposit or provide notice of deductions within 45 days after the tenancy ends.	D.C. Code § 42-3502.17
Interest on deposits	RequiredThe District requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits held for at least 12 months.	14 DCMR § 311
Late fee limit	5% of the rentA late fee may not exceed 5% of the monthly rent and may not be charged until rent is 5 days overdue.	D.C. Code § 42-3505.31
Grace period before rent is late	5 daysRent carries a 5-day statutory grace period before a late fee may be charged.	D.C. Code § 42-3505.31
Notice to pay or quit	30 daysTenant has 30 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession.	D.C. Code § 42-3505.01
Time to cure a lease violation	30 daysTenant generally has 30 days to remedy a curable lease violation.	D.C. Code § 42-3505.01
Ending a month-to-month tenancy	30 days' noticeLandlord must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and may generally only do so for a reason allowed by the Rental Housing Act.	D.C. Code § 42-3505.01
Notice before landlord entry	48 hoursLandlord must give at least 48 hours' notice before entering, except in an emergency.	D.C. Code § 42-3505.51

Disclosures a District of Columbia lease must carry

Missing a required disclosure is the most common way an otherwise fine lease creates a problem. Landy adds these automatically, plus any that apply only to your specific property.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling, provide any available records and reports to the tenant, and give the tenant the EPA-approved pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home." Tenant acknowledges receipt of this information by signing below.
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 24 C.F.R. Part 35; 40 C.F.R. Part 745 · applies to housing built before 1978
Rent Control Status Disclosure
Landlord discloses whether the dwelling is subject to or exempt from the rent stabilization provisions of the Rental Housing Act, and has provided the required disclosure form.
D.C. Code § 42-3502.22

If things go wrong in District of Columbia

Where eviction is filed

Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Landlord and Tenant Branch, as an action for possession.

Governing law

Rental Housing Act of 1985, cited from the D.C. Code.

Never self-help

Changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out is unlawful. A court order is the only route.

District of Columbia lease questions, answered

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in District of Columbia?: Security deposit may not exceed one month's rent. (14 DCMR § 308) The deposit must be accounted for within 45 days after the tenancy ends (D.C. Code § 42-3502.17).
Is there a limit on late fees in District of Columbia?: A late fee may not exceed 5% of the monthly rent and may not be charged until rent is 5 days overdue. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.31)
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in District of Columbia?: Landlord must give at least 48 hours' notice before entering, except in an emergency. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.51)
How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in District of Columbia?: Landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and may generally only do so for a reason allowed by the Rental Housing Act. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01)
What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in District of Columbia?: Tenant has 30 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01) The case is filed as an action for possession in Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Landlord and Tenant Branch. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.
Does a residential lease have to be in writing in District of Columbia?: A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. District of Columbia tenancies are governed by the Rental Housing Act of 1985, and a written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to District of Columbia with the statutory citations printed in it.

Build a District of Columbia lease with these rules already in it.

Answer questions in plain English. Landy writes the District of Columbia lease around your answers, applies every limit above, and shows you the finished document before you decide to pay.

Lease laws in other states

This page summarizes District of Columbia law for general information and is not legal advice. Landy is a self-help document service, not a law firm. Cities and counties may impose additional requirements, and statutes change. Have a licensed District of Columbia attorney review your lease before you rely on it.