DC
District of Columbia Landlord-Tenant Laws
Security Deposit Limits in District of Columbia
14 DCMR § 308.2; 14 DCMR § 308.3
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Maximum security deposit: One month's rent
- Can only be charged once per tenancy
- Must be deposited in interest-bearing escrow account
- Account must be at DC financial institution
- Account must be insured by federal or state agency
Security Deposit Interest Requirements in District of Columbia
14 DCMR § 308.3; 14 DCMR § 308.7; 14 DCMR § 311.1; 14 DCMR § 311.2
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Interest accrues at statement savings rate
- Rates determined on January 1 and July 1
- Must post annual notice in lobby showing rates and location
- Must provide tenant list of rates at end of tenancy
- Interest due for tenancies of 12+ months
- +1 more requirements
Security Deposit Return Timeline in District of Columbia
14 DCMR § 309.1; 14 DCMR § 309.2; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(c)
⏰ Timeline
30 days after lease termination or as specified
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- 45 days to return deposit or provide written notice of withholding
- 30 days after notice to provide itemized statement and remaining balance
- Deductions must be specified in writing at lease start
- Cannot deduct for ordinary wear and tear
- Must include interest for tenancies of 12+ months
Security Deposit Penalties in District of Columbia
14 DCMR § 309.5; 14 DCMR § 311.2
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Treble damages (3x deposit) for bad faith withholding
- Bad faith defined as frivolous, fraudulent, or dishonest refusal
- Does not apply to simple negligence or honest mistakes
- Also applies to failure to pay interest in bad faith
- Missing deadlines may result in full refund requirement
Rent Control Overview in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3502.05; D.C. Code § 42-3502.06
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Applies to buildings built before January 1, 1975
- Applies to landlords with 5+ units in DC
- All properties must register with RAD
- Even exempt properties must register and claim exemption
- Unregistered units automatically subject to rent control
- +1 more requirements
Rent Increase Limits in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3502.06; D.C. Code § 42-3502.08
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Most tenants: CPI + 2%, maximum 10% per year
- Elderly/disabled tenants: Lesser of CPI, SS COLA, or 5%
- Can only increase once every 12 months
- Property must comply with housing code
- Landlord and manager must be licensed and registered
- +1 more requirements
Rent Increase Notice Requirements in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b); 14 DCMR § 300 et seq.
⏰ Timeline
30 days after lease termination or as specified
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- 60 days' written notice required (as of January 1, 2024)
- If lease requires more than 30 days for termination, add 30 days to that period
- Effective date: First rent payment date 60+ days after notice
- Must file with RAD for rent-controlled properties
- Notice must detail new rent amount, effective date, and justification
Vacancy Rent Increases in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3502.13
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Tenant tenure 10 years or less: 10% vacancy increase allowed
- Tenant tenure over 10 years: 20% vacancy increase allowed
- Only applies when tenant voluntarily vacates
- Cannot use harassment or wrongful eviction to create vacancy
- Increase is in addition to normal CPI adjustment
- +1 more requirements
Registration Requirements in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3502.05
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- All rental properties must register with RAD
- Even exempt properties must register and claim exemption
- Landlord must be licensed with DOB
- Property manager must be registered
- Cannot increase rent without registration
- +1 more requirements
Just Cause Eviction Requirements in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a)
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Tenants can remain indefinitely as long as rent is paid
- Lease expiration is NOT grounds for eviction
- Only specific statutory reasons allowed for eviction
- After lease expires, tenancy continues month-to-month
- All eviction notices must state the specific statutory reason
- +1 more requirements
Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a)
⏰ Timeline
30 days after lease termination or as specified
✅ Key Requirements
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- 30-day written notice of intent to file for eviction required
- Minimum $600 threshold to file eviction
- Notice must contain specific statutory language
- Must include information about tenant rights and OTA
- Tenant has 30 days to pay in full and avoid eviction
- +1 more requirements
Eviction for Lease Violations in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(b)
⏰ Timeline
30 days after lease termination or as specified
✅ Key Requirements
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- 30-day written notice required
- Must specify the lease obligation violated
- Tenant has opportunity to cure within 30 days
- If cured, landlord cannot proceed with eviction
- Notice must be served on tenant and Rent Administrator
- +1 more requirements
Eviction for Illegal Activity in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(c); D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(c-1)
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Court must first determine illegal act occurred
- 30-day notice to vacate required
- No opportunity to cure
- Tenant must have known or should have known of illegal act
- Notice must be served on tenant and Rent Administrator
- +1 more requirements
Eviction for Owner Occupancy in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(d); D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(f)
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- 90-day written notice required
- Must be for personal use and occupancy
- Owner or immediate family member must actually occupy unit
- Must be done in good faith
- Notice must be served on tenant and Rent Administrator
- +1 more requirements
Eviction Process Overview in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.01; Superior Court Landlord & Tenant Rules
⏰ Timeline
30 days after lease termination or as specified
✅ Key Requirements
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- Court order required for all evictions
- Proper notice must be given first
- Tenant has right to defend in court
- Judgment for possession must be obtained
- Writ of restitution executed by US Marshals
- +2 more requirements
Illegal Self-Help Evictions in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.01; D.C. Code § 42-3505.02
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- All evictions must be through court process
- Only US Marshals can physically remove tenants
- Cannot change locks without court order
- Cannot remove tenant's property
- Cannot shut off utilities to force tenant out
- +1 more requirements
Landlord's Duty to Maintain Habitability in District of Columbia
14 DCMR § 100 et seq.; D.C. Code § 42-3502.01 et seq.
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Unit must be safe, sanitary, and habitable
- All building systems must function properly
- Heat required October 1 - May 1 when below 68°F
- Hot water must be available at all times
- Must comply with all housing code regulations
- +1 more requirements
Tenant Repair Remedies in District of Columbia
14 DCMR § 4303.3; D.C. Code § 42-3505.02
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Implied right to withhold rent for uninhabitable conditions
- Retaliation against rent withholding is prohibited
- Should document all repair requests in writing
- Can report violations to Department of Buildings
- DOB inspects within 15 business days
- +1 more requirements
Landlord Entry Rights in District of Columbia
14 DCMR § 300 et seq.; Common law
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Reasonable notice required (24 hours recommended)
- Entry must be at reasonable times
- Valid reasons: repairs, services, showing unit
- Emergency entry allowed without notice
- Cannot unreasonably interfere with tenant's comfort or safety
- +1 more requirements
Right to Quiet Enjoyment in District of Columbia
14 DCMR § 300 et seq.; D.C. Code § 42-3505.02
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Landlord cannot unreasonably interfere with tenant's enjoyment
- Includes freedom from harassment and intimidation
- No utility shutoffs to force tenant out
- No excessive or unreasonable entry
- Violations may constitute retaliation
- +1 more requirements
Lease Continuation Rights in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a); 14 DCMR § 300 et seq.
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- After lease expires, tenancy continues month-to-month
- Same terms apply except lawful rent increases
- Landlord cannot simply refuse to renew
- Only just cause grounds can terminate tenancy
- Tenant can remain indefinitely if paying rent
- +1 more requirements
Tenant Termination Rights in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3509.04; 14 DCMR § 300 et seq.
⏰ Timeline
30 days after lease termination or as specified
✅ Key Requirements
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- 30 days' written notice required for month-to-month
- Cannot require more than 30 days unless balanced by rent increase notice
- Fixed-term: generally bound for full term
- Can terminate early for landlord breaches
- Special protections for DV victims and military
- +1 more requirements
Retaliation Prohibition in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.02; 14 DCMR § 4303
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Cannot retaliate for tenant exercising legal rights
- Prohibited actions: eviction, rent increase, service reduction
- 6-month presumption of retaliation after tenant asserts rights
- Tenant can raise as defense to eviction
- Tenant can sue for damages
- +1 more requirements
Discrimination Protections in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 2-1402.21 et seq.
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Prohibition on discrimination based on numerous protected classes
- Includes source of income (vouchers must be accepted)
- Cannot refuse to rent based on protected class
- Cannot set different terms or conditions
- Cannot advertise preferences for or against protected classes
- +1 more requirements
Domestic Violence Protections in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(c-1); D.C. Code § 42-3505.07; D.C. Code § 42-3505.08
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Defense to eviction if violation related to domestic violence
- Applies to victims and parents/guardians of minor victims
- Landlords cannot evict due to DV incidents
- May have early lease termination rights
- Includes protections for sexual assault and stalking victims
- +1 more requirements
Eviction Record Sealing in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.09
⏰ Timeline
30 days after lease termination or as specified
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Auto-seal in 30 days if landlord doesn't win judgment
- Auto-seal in 3 years if landlord wins judgment
- Applies to cases filed before and after March 11, 2020
- Landlords cannot use sealed records for housing decisions
- Tenants can petition for early sealing in some cases
- +1 more requirements
Application Fees and Tenant Screening in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3502.22; 14 DCMR § 300 et seq.
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Must disclose amount of nonrefundable application fee
- Fee must be reasonable
- Extensive disclosure requirements at application
- Must disclose rent control status
- Must disclose 3-year eviction history of unit
- +1 more requirements
Required Disclosures in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3502.22; 14 DCMR § 300; D.C. Code § 8-241.01 et seq.
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
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- Must provide copy of DC housing regulations
- Must provide Tenant Bill of Rights
- Must provide written lease
- Must disclose security deposit terms and location
- Must disclose rent control status
- +3 more requirements
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure in District of Columbia
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; D.C. Code § 8-231.01 et seq.
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Required for housing built before 1978
- Must provide EPA pamphlet
- Must disclose known lead-based paint and hazards
- Must provide available records and reports
- Must include specific warning language in lease
- +1 more requirements
Small Claims Court in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 11-1321; Superior Court Small Claims Rules
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Handles disputes up to $10,000
- Located in DC Superior Court Civil Division
- Designed to be accessible without attorneys
- Filing fees based on amount claimed
- Security deposit cases can also go to OAH
- +1 more requirements
Lease Agreement Requirements in District of Columbia
14 DCMR § 300 et seq.; D.C. Code § 42-3502.22
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Written lease required for all tenancies
- Must include landlord identity or authorized agent
- Must specify security deposit terms
- Must specify rent amount and due date
- Tenant must receive copy of signed lease
- +1 more requirements
Prohibited Lease Clauses in District of Columbia
14 DCMR § 300 et seq.; D.C. Code § 42-3509.01
⏰ Timeline
30 days after lease termination or as specified
✅ Key Requirements
- Cannot waive landlord's maintenance liability
- Cannot waive tenant's jury trial right
- Cannot require automatic attorney fee payment
- Cannot include confession of judgment
- Cannot require excessive notice to vacate
- +1 more requirements
Abandoned Property After Eviction in District of Columbia
D.C. Code § 42-3505.01a
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
View Full Statute →
- Locks changed at eviction in presence of Marshals
- 7-day access period for tenant (excluding Sundays/holidays)
- Minimum 16 hours access over maximum 2 days
- Access between 8am-6pm at agreed times
- Must include Saturday if tenant requests
- +2 more requirements
Rent Receipt Requirements in District of Columbia
14 DCMR § 300 et seq.
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Receipt required for all rent payments
- Exception: Personal check payment in full
- Must state amount paid and remaining balance
- Must include date of payment
- Must state purpose was rent payment
- +1 more requirements