Home · Landlord-tenant rules · District of Columbia
Deposit, notice, and late-fee figures cited to the state statute.
| Rule | Rule text |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | Within 45 days after termination of the tenancy, the housing provider shall notify the tenant in writing of any alleged unpaid amounts due under the lease, personally, by email, or by certified mail at the tenant's forwarding address. Those amounts may include unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, or charges the section lists. D.C. Code § 42-3502.17. As of 2026-10-09. |
| Notice for a rent increase | No rent increase under this chapter, the Rental Accommodations Act of 1975, the Rental Housing Act of 1977, the Rental Housing Act of 1980, or administrative decisions issued under those acts, is effective until the first day rent is normally paid occurring more than 60 calendar days after notice of the increase is given to the tenant, provided the requirements of § 42-3505.54(b) are met. D.C. Code § 42-3509.04. As of 2026-10-09. |
| Notice to end a tenancy | A residential tenancy may be terminated by a 30-day notice in writing only from the tenant to the housing provider of the tenant's intention to quit. The notice expires on the first day of the first month at least 30 days after the date of the notice. D.C. Code § 42-3202. As of 2026-10-09. |
| Notice before entry | Reasonable notice means written notice provided to the tenant at least 48 hours before the time the housing provider wishes to enter the unit, or a shorter period the tenant agrees to in writing. D.C. Code § 42-3505.51. As of 2026-10-09. |
| Late fee | A housing provider may charge a late fee of no more than 5% of the full amount of rent due. The provider may charge it only if the written lease states the maximum late fee, and only if the tenant has not paid the full rent within 5 days, or any longer grace period in the lease, after the day rent is due. D.C. Code § 42-3505.31. As of 2026-10-09. |
| Eviction notice | A housing provider shall give notice of intent to file a claim to recover possession for nonpayment of rent at least 10 days before filing the claim, and shall not issue that notice if the unpaid rent is less than $600. D.C. Code § 42-3505.01. As of 2026-10-09. |
Within 45 days after termination of the tenancy, the housing provider shall notify the tenant in writing of any alleged unpaid amounts due under the lease, personally, by email, or by certified mail at the tenant's forwarding address. Those amounts may include unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, or charges the section lists.
A housing provider may charge a late fee of no more than 5% of the full amount of rent due. The provider may charge it only if the written lease states the maximum late fee, and only if the tenant has not paid the full rent within 5 days, or any longer grace period in the lease, after the day rent is due.
A housing provider shall give notice of intent to file a claim to recover possession for nonpayment of rent at least 10 days before filing the claim, and shall not issue that notice if the unpaid rent is less than $600.
Figures are from District of Columbia statutes, retrieved 2026-10-09. Primary sources: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3502.17, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3509.04, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3202, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3505.51, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3505.31, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3505.01.
Within 45 days after termination of the tenancy, the housing provider shall notify the tenant in writing of any alleged unpaid amounts due under the lease, personally, by email, or by certified mail at the tenant's forwarding address. Those amounts may include unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, or charges the section lists. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3502.17, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3502.17, as of 2026-10-09.
No rent increase under this chapter, the Rental Accommodations Act of 1975, the Rental Housing Act of 1977, the Rental Housing Act of 1980, or administrative decisions issued under those acts, is effective until the first day rent is normally paid occurring more than 60 calendar days after notice of the increase is given to the tenant, provided the requirements of § 42-3505.54(b) are met. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3509.04, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3509.04, as of 2026-10-09.
A residential tenancy may be terminated by a 30-day notice in writing only from the tenant to the housing provider of the tenant's intention to quit. The notice expires on the first day of the first month at least 30 days after the date of the notice. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3202, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3202, as of 2026-10-09.
Reasonable notice means written notice provided to the tenant at least 48 hours before the time the housing provider wishes to enter the unit, or a shorter period the tenant agrees to in writing. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.51, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3505.51, as of 2026-10-09.
A housing provider may charge a late fee of no more than 5% of the full amount of rent due. The provider may charge it only if the written lease states the maximum late fee, and only if the tenant has not paid the full rent within 5 days, or any longer grace period in the lease, after the day rent is due. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.31, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3505.31, as of 2026-10-09.
A housing provider shall give notice of intent to file a claim to recover possession for nonpayment of rent at least 10 days before filing the claim, and shall not issue that notice if the unpaid rent is less than $600. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3505.01, as of 2026-10-09.
Estimates for planning; not tax/legal advice.