District of Columbia Residential Lease Agreement
What District of Columbia law requires in a residential lease — the deposit cap, the return deadline, the notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and the disclosures you have to give the tenant. Every figure is cited to the statute it comes from and dated. The free District of Columbia lease template is one click away.
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.
Other District of Columbia rules your lease has to live with
Beyond the deposit, District of Columbia law sets rules on entry, late fees, and repairs that apply whether or not the lease mentions them.
- Landlord entry. District of Columbia requires at least 48 hours’ notice before a non-emergency entry. — D.C. Code § 42-3505.51 (as amended by D.C. Law 21-210, eff. Feb. 18, 2017) ↗
- Late fees. Maximum 5% of the full rent due, chargeable only after rent is unpaid 5 days past due (or a longer lease grace period). — D.C. Code § 42-3505.31 (D.C. Law 21-172, eff. Dec. 8, 2016) ↗
- Rent increases. Rent increase not effective until the first rent-due day more than 60 calendar days after notice is given to the tenant. — D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b) (as amended by D.C. Law 25-65, Nov. 28, 2023) ↗
- Habitability. District of Columbia law implies a warranty of habitability into every residential lease; a clause waiving it is unenforceable. — 14 DCMR § 301, Title 14 Housing, Ch. 3 Landlord and Tenant (eff. 10/10/2025 per dcregs) ↗
Each point links to the District of Columbia source it was taken from. Rules change; confirm before relying on them.
What District of Columbia law requires · as of 2026
- Max security deposit
- 1 month's rent
- Deposit return deadline
- 45 days after move-out
- Notice to end month-to-month
- 30 days
Source: D.C. Code §42-3502.17; 14 DCMR 308-311 · verify ↗. Laws change — confirm the current rule before you rely on it.
Deposit still not back 45 days after move-out? Ask for it in writing with a District of Columbia security deposit demand letter; if that doesn’t work, the usual next step is District of Columbia small claims court.
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Required disclosures in District of Columbia
What District of Columbia law says a residential landlord has to tell the tenant, each with the statute it comes from. Federal rules and some city ordinances can add more.
Rent Administrator disclosure form at application
Housing provider must give prospective tenant, on the Rent Administrator's form, the applicable rent, pending petitions, surcharges, rent increase frequency, rent control status/exemption, business license and registration.
Source: D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)
Housing code violation reports (12 months)
Copies of housing code and property maintenance code violation reports issued in the previous 12 months.
Source: D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(F) (D.C. Law 20-135, 2014)
Rent Administrator pamphlet on rent increases
Pamphlet published by the Rent Administrator explaining rent increase laws in lay terms.
Source: D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(G)
Indoor mold contamination disclosure
Known or should-have-known indoor mold contamination in the unit or common areas in the previous 3 years, unless remediated by a District-licensed professional.
Source: D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(K) (D.C. Law 20-135, 2014)
Tenant Bill of Rights
Tenant Bill of Rights published by the Office of the Tenant Advocate under § 42-3531.07(8).
Source: D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(L) (D.C. Law 20-147, 2014)
Fees, deposit, conversion and ownership info
Application fees and security deposit information, condominium/cooperative conversion status, and ownership disclosure information.
Source: D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)
Frequently asked questions
How much security deposit can a landlord charge in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, the security deposit is limited to 1 month's rent, and it must be returned within 45 days after move-out (as of 2026). Source: D.C. Code §42-3502.17; 14 DCMR 308-311. Confirm the current rule before you sign.
Is this lease valid in District of Columbia?
A written lease that identifies the parties, the property, the term, and the rent is generally enforceable in District of Columbia once both sides sign. What it cannot do is contract around District of Columbia law: the deposit rules, entry notice, and habitability duties below apply whether or not the lease mentions them.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia requires at least 48 hours' notice for a non-emergency entry. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.51 (as amended by D.C. Law 21-210, eff. Feb. 18, 2017).
Can a landlord charge late fees in District of Columbia?
Maximum 5% of the full rent due, chargeable only after rent is unpaid 5 days past due (or a longer lease grace period). Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.31 (D.C. Law 21-172, eff. Dec. 8, 2016).
What does a landlord have to disclose in District of Columbia?
Under District of Columbia law: Rent Administrator disclosure form at application (D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)); Housing code violation reports (12 months) (D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(F) (D.C. Law 20-135, 2014)); Rent Administrator pamphlet on rent increases (D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(G)); Indoor mold contamination disclosure (D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(K) (D.C. Law 20-135, 2014)); Tenant Bill of Rights (D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(L) (D.C. Law 20-147, 2014)); Fees, deposit, conversion and ownership info (D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)). Federal and local rules can add more; each item on this page links to the law it comes from.
How does District of Columbia compare? See the security deposit limits in all 50 states, every figure cited to statute.
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 ↗.
- District of Columbia is one of 29 of 51 jurisdictions that cap the deposit by statute (22 set no statutory cap on the security deposit).
- 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.
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy: 30 days, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 39 other states.
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in neighboring states — Maryland (30 days), Virginia (30 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.
- 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 ↗
Lease agreement in other states
More District of Columbia legal forms
- District of Columbia Bill of Sale
- District of Columbia Eviction Notice
- District of Columbia Power of Attorney
- District of Columbia Rental Application
- District of Columbia Small Claims Guide
- District of Columbia Demand Letter
- District of Columbia Security Deposit Demand Letter
- District of Columbia Quitclaim Deed
- District of Columbia LLC Operating Agreement
Different state? See lease agreements by state →