District of Columbia Security Deposit Demand Letter

In District of Columbia, a landlord has 45 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: D.C. Code §42-3502.17; 14 DCMR 308-311). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.

Reflects current District of Columbia rules · 2026 Official source linked Free PDF · no signup · nothing uploaded

Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.

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District of Columbia deposit rules at a glance

Return deadline: 45 days after move-out
Deposit cap: 1 month's rent

As of 2026. Source: D.C. Code §42-3502.17; 14 DCMR 308-311 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a District of Columbia landlord have to return the deposit?

45 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: D.C. Code §42-3502.17; 14 DCMR 308-311). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.

Is there a limit on how much deposit a District of Columbia landlord can charge?

Yes: 1 month's rent (as of 2026; source: D.C. Code §42-3502.17; 14 DCMR 308-311). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.

How much can I sue for in District of Columbia if the landlord ignores this?

$10,000 exclusive of interest, attorney fees, protest fees and costs. Jurisdiction is EXCLUSIVE: most money-only claims of $10,000 or less must be filed in the branch, not the regular Civil Division. The court is the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch, Civil Division, Superior Court of the District of Columbia, and the filing fee is $5 (claims up to $500) / $10 ($500.01-$2,500) / $45 ($2,500.01-$10,000), plus service costs. As of 2026; source: D.C. Code §11-1321.

Do I need a lawyer in District of Columbia small claims?

Attorneys are allowed (never required for individuals); corporations and other artificial entities generally must appear through a D.C.-barred attorney. Source: D.C. Code §11-1321 (as of 2026).

Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.

How District of Columbia compares

Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for District of Columbia: D.C. Code §42-3502.17; 14 DCMR 308-311 ↗.

Deposit return deadline

Deposit return deadline: 45 days — above the national median of 30 days across the 51 states with a statutory rule.

This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 6 other states.

Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Maryland (45 days), Virginia (45 days). Every neighboring state with a rule matches District of Columbia.

The rest of what District of Columbia requires

The figures below are District of Columbia's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full District of Columbia page for that document.

Security deposit cap · as of 2026: 1 month's rent D.C. Code §42-3502.17; 14 DCMR 308-311 ↗
Deposit return deadline · as of 2026: 45 days after move-out D.C. Code §42-3502.17; 14 DCMR 308-311 ↗
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026: 30 days D.C. Code §42-3502.17; 14 DCMR 308-311 ↗
Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026: 10 days to pay or quit D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1) (RENTAL Act, D.C. Law 26-80, eff. 12/31/2025); § 42-3202 ↗
Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026: 30 days D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1) (RENTAL Act, D.C. Law 26-80, eff. 12/31/2025); § 42-3202 ↗
Small claims limit · as of 2026: $10,000 D.C. Code §11-1321 ↗
Where you file · as of 2026: Small Claims and Conciliation Branch, Civil Division, Superior Court of the District of Columbia · filing fee $5 (claims up to $500) / $10 ($500.01-$2,500) / $45 ($2,500.01-$10,000), plus service costs D.C. Code §11-1321 ↗
Rental application fee · as of July 2026: Capped at $54 in 2026 (CPI-adjusted $50 base) D.C. Council Code ↗
Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026: Not required DC DMV / DMV.ORG ↗
Power of attorney signing · as of 2026: Notarization required D.C. Code §21-2601.05 (form §21-2603.01) ↗
LLC operating agreement · as of 2026: Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules D.C. Code § 29-801.02(10) ↗
Recording a deed · as of 2026: Recorder of Deeds (DC Office of Recorder of Deeds — single district-wide office) · no witnesses D.C. Code § 42-401 ↗

Security deposit demand letter in other states

More District of Columbia legal forms

Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →