District of Columbia Law: Plain-English Guides

Key District of Columbia facts

Security deposit deadline

Within 45 days after the tenant vacates, the landlord must either return the deposit (with interest for tenancies of 12+ months) or give written notice of amounts claimed. 14 DCMR § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(e)

Eviction notice for unpaid rent

At least 10 days' written notice of intent to file before filing a nonpayment eviction, on the statutory form (amount owed, ledger, right to cure, tenant-help phone numbers), sent by certified/tracked mail plus hand… D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.01(a)(1), (a-1); 16-1501

Small claims limit

$10,000, exclusive of interest, attorney fees, protest fees and costs, for actions seeking only money. D.C. Code § 11-1321

Small estate affidavit

D.C. does not use a simple out-of-court affidavit. Instead, an estate of $80,000 or less may be handled as a small estate in the Probate Division: a person eligible to be personal representative files a verified… D.C. Code §§ 20-351, 20-352

Minimum wage

$18.40 per hour, effective July 1, 2026. The rate is adjusted every July 1 for inflation (Washington-area consumer price index). D.C. Code § 32-1003(a); U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage table

Final paycheck if fired

By the next working day after discharge. If the employee handled the employer's money, the employer may take up to 4 days to check the accounts. D.C. Code § 32-1303(1), (4)

Time limit to sue on a debt

3 years. Any lawsuit to collect a consumer debt filed on or after September 1, 2021 must be started within 3 years after the claim accrues, whether it is based on a written contract, account stated, open account or any… D.C. Code § 28-3814(o); § 12-301(7)