District of Columbia landlord guide
Deposit limits, entry notice, termination notice and rent increase rules for District of Columbia, with the sources they come from.
District of Columbia landlord-tenant rules at a glance
- Security deposit limit
- 1 month's rent
- Deposit return / claim rule
- 45 days
- Deposit interest
- Required; statement savings rate, computed every 6 months (12+ month terms)
- Notice before entry
- 48 hours written notice; entry 9am-5pm (§ 42-3505.51)
- Ending a month-to-month
- Tenant: 30 days. Landlord: only for good cause, 30-120 days' notice
- Notice before a rent increase
- 60 days (§ 42-3509.04(b)); controlled units also need RAD filing
- Late fees
- Max 5% of the monthly rent (§ 42-3505.31)
- Rent control
- Yes; rent-stabilized units capped at CPI-W + 2%, max 10% (less if elderly)
General information from the D.C. Rental Housing Act of 1985 (D.C. Code §§ 42-3501.01 et seq.); 14 DCMR, last reviewed 2026-08-21. Not legal advice; municipal bylaws can add requirements.
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