Question 1

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

May not exceed the initial monthly rent (one month's rent), and must be held in an interest-bearing account.
14 DCMR §§ 308-311; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17 (as summarized in OTA Tenant Bill of Rights, Form OTA 2026.09.25)

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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. If amounts are claimed, the balance must be returned within 30 days after that notice.
14 DCMR § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(e)

Question 3

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Required for tenancies of 12 months or more; deposit must be held in an interest-bearing account and interest returned with the deposit. (14 DCMR §§ 308-311)

Question 4

Does a landlord in District of Columbia have to give an itemized list of deposit deductions?

Accepted Answer

Within 45 days, written notice of any claimed unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, or cost of removing abandoned items, with supporting documentation and a statement of the tenant's right to dispute. Tenant has 30 days to dispute; landlord must respond within 10 days. Ordinary wear and tear may not be charged. (D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(c), (e))

Question 5

What happens if a landlord in District of Columbia wrongfully keeps a security deposit?

Accepted Answer

A housing provider who fails to return a security deposit rightfully owed is liable to the tenant for the amount withheld, or treble damages if it acted in bad faith. Failing to pay interest owed on the deposit makes the provider liable to the tenant for the interest, or treble that amount in bad faith; a willful failure to pay interest carries a civil fine of up to $5,000 per violation. 'Bad faith' means a frivolous or unfounded refusal motivated by a fraudulent, deceptive, dishonest, or unreasonably self-serving purpose, not simple negligence or an honest belief. (14 DCMR §§ 309 (new sub-paragraph (d)), 311.1-311.2, as amended by D.C. Law 16-276 and D.C. Law 19-140 (Tenant Security Deposits Clarification Amendment Act of 2012))

Question 6

How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

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 delivery or posting. No eviction case may be filed if less than $600 is owed, and no eviction for unpaid late fees.
D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.01(a)(1), (a-1); 16-1501

Question 7

How much notice is required to evict for a lease violation in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

30-day notice to correct or vacate; the landlord can recover possession only if the tenant fails to correct the violation within 30 days after receiving notice. Illegal-act cases: 30-day notice to vacate after a court finding; for complaints filed after Dec. 31, 2025 involving a dangerous crime or crime of violence, 10-day notice to vacate with no cure and an expedited hearing within 20 days of filing. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(b), (c))

Question 8

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month lease in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Tenant: 30 days' written notice, expiring on the first day of a month at least 30 days after the notice. Landlord: cannot end a residential tenancy just because the lease or month ends; may evict only for one of the statutory causes in § 42-3505.01 (e.g., 90 days for owner use or sale, 120 days for renovation, 180 days for demolition or discontinuing housing use). (D.C. Code §§ 42-3202(b), 42-3505.01)

Question 9

Can a landlord enter without notice in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Written notice at least 48 hours in advance (unless the tenant agrees in writing to less), entry only 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and not on Sundays or federal holidays (unless the tenant agrees), and only for a listed reasonable purpose. No notice needed in an emergency. Email/text notice counts only if the tenant acknowledges it in writing; otherwise paper notice is also required. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.51)

Question 10

Is there a limit on late fees in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

No more than 5% of the full rent due, only if the written lease states the maximum fee and rent is not paid within 5 days after the due date (or a longer lease grace period). Only one late fee per late payment; no interest on late fees; cannot be deducted from later rent; no eviction for unpaid late fees; no late fee on a subsidy provider's share. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.31)

Question 11

Can a tenant repair and deduct from rent in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

No statute — the D.C. Code has no general repair-and-deduct remedy (the former smoke-detector installation provision, § 6-751.10, is repealed). Tenants rely instead on the implied warranty of habitability (case law), lawful rent withholding after notice (protected by § 42-3505.02), and housing-code enforcement by the Department of Buildings. (D.C. Code Title 42, Ch. 35 (Rental Housing Act); § 6-751.10 (repealed); § 42-3505.02)

Question 12

Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Recognized indirectly: the anti-retaliation statute protects a tenant who 'legally withheld' rent after giving reasonable notice of a housing-regulation violation. Leases carry an implied warranty of habitability. No statutory escrow procedure was found. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.02(b))

Question 13

Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Landlord may not retaliate (eviction, rent increase, service cuts, harassment, privacy violations, refusing to renew or honor the lease) for: witnessed or written repair requests, contacting officials about code violations, lawfully withholding rent after notice, tenant organizing, enforcing lease rights, or suing the landlord. If the landlord acts within 6 months after such an act, retaliation is presumed and the landlord must rebut it by clear and convincing evidence. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.02)

Question 14

Is there rent control or a limit on rent increases in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DC's Rent Stabilization Program covers many older rental units. Annual increase cap for covered units: lesser of CPI + 2% or 10% (registered elderly/disabled tenants: lowest of CPI, Social Security COLA, or 5%), at most once per 12 months, and only if the landlord is licensed/registered and the unit substantially complies with the housing code. All tenants (rent controlled or not) get at least 60 days' written notice of any rent increase. (D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.08, 42-3502.06(e), 42-3502.24, 42-3509.04(b))

Question 15

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Self-help eviction is prohibited: landlord may not cut off utilities or change the locks to evict. Any eviction must follow a court order after the notice to vacate expires and be scheduled and supervised by the U.S. Marshals Service. (D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.01, 42-3505.01a, 16-1501 (as summarized in OTA Tenant Bill of Rights))

Question 16

What is the small claims court limit in District of Columbia for a deposit dispute?

Accepted Answer

$10,000 (exclusive of interest, attorney fees, protest fees, and costs). Cases affecting an interest in real property, including evictions, cannot be brought in Small Claims. (D.C. Code § 11-1321)

Question 17

How do you remove a squatter in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

No squatter-specific statute identified. The possession statute covers anyone who 'detains possession of real property without right': the owner files a verified complaint in D.C. Superior Court for restitution of possession, and removal happens only by court judgment and writ executed by the U.S. Marshals. (D.C. Code § 16-1501(a))

Question 18

What can a landlord do with a tenant's abandoned property in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

The housing provider must send a final notice at least 21 days before the eviction date (by phone/e-mail/text, first-class mail, and posting) warning that property left in the unit will be deemed abandoned 7 days after the eviction. On eviction day the locks are changed and a second notice is mailed to any emergency contact and posted. Belongings stay in the unit for 7 days (excluding Sundays and federal holidays), with reasonable care; the tenant must be given access for at least 16 hours between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. over up to 2 days, without paying rent or fees. After 7 days the property is abandoned and may be disposed of, but never placed on the street or in outdoor space other than a lawful disposal site. Missing notices entitle the tenant to an injunction staying the eviction. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01a)

Question 19

Is there a limit on rental application fees in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Capped at $50, which the housing provider may adjust annually by CPI since Jan. 1, 2024. Only one application fee for applications to multiple units of the same provider within 30 days (unless more than one screening is required). No fee other than the application fee may be charged before lease signing, and no holding deposit from voucher holders. Unused fees must be refunded within 14 days if no screening is done. Before collecting any fee the provider must disclose, in writing or posting, each fee and whether refundable, screening criteria, the response time, and dispute rights; denials require a written adverse-action notice. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.10(a)-(c), (f))

Question 20

What rental fees are banned or limited in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

A housing provider may not charge fees before move-in, during the tenancy, or after move-out for services it must provide to keep the unit habitable and code-compliant, including fees for utilities, trash, locks, or administrative fees for third-party billing. From Jan. 1, 2027, utility charges for common areas or vacant units may not be billed separately (only through rent; RUBS allocation still allowed). Late fees: max 5% of rent, only if disclosed in the written lease and rent is more than 5 days late; charged once per late payment, no interest, and never grounds for eviction. (D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.10(b)(3), (b-2); 42-3505.11; 42-3505.31)

Question 21

Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

A tenant who is a victim of an intrafamily offense (or parent/guardian of a minor victim) is released from the lease by giving written notice plus either a civil protection order or documentation signed by a qualified third party (police officer, DCHA police officer, health professional, or domestic violence counselor) showing the offense was reported. The request must be made within 90 days of the reported incident. Release takes effect 14 days after the landlord receives the notice and documentation (or earlier if the unit is re-rented); the tenant owes only prorated rent to that date, despite any lease penalty, plus any rent already past due. Victims may also require the landlord to change the locks within 5 business days (tenant reimburses cost). (D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.07, 42-3505.08)

Question 22

Can an eviction record be sealed or removed in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, automatic: Superior Court must seal eviction records 30 days after final resolution if there is no judgment for possession for the landlord, and 3 years after final resolution if there is one (applies to older cases as of Jan. 1, 2022). By tenant motion at any time if, e.g., the case was for $600 or less, involved a subsidized unit, was retaliatory or discriminatory, the landlord failed to abate housing code violations, it arose from domestic violence, or a settlement left the tenant in possession, or for other good grounds. Landlords may not base screening decisions on sealed records, on cases without a possession judgment, or on cases filed 3+ years ago. (D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.09, 42-3505.10(d))

Question 23

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 vouchers in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The D.C. Human Rights Act bars refusing to rent or discriminating in terms because of source of income, and expressly treats Section 8 assistance paid to the owner (directly or through the tenant) as a source of income. Covers housing vouchers and other lawful income. (D.C. Code § 2-1402.21(a), (e))

Question 24

What does a District of Columbia notice to pay rent or quit have to include?

Accepted Answer

At least 10 days before filing, a written notice of intent to file, only if $600 or more is owed (no eviction for unpaid late fees). Must contain the statutory language or substantively similar: the specific total rent owed; an attached ledger of charges and payments for the delinquency period; the right to stay if the balance is paid in full; that the landlord may sue only if $600+ is owed and unpaid; the right to defend in court and that only a court can order eviction; and phone numbers for the Office of the Tenant Advocate (202-719-6560) and the Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network (202-780-2575). Delivery: certified mail or tracked delivery service with return receipt, AND hand delivery to the unit or posting on the front door. Posting requires a timestamped photo filed with the court; notice must be translated if the landlord knows the tenant's primary language is another covered language. (D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.01(a), (a-1); 16-1501(b))

Question 25

What does a District of Columbia notice to end a month-to-month tenancy have to include?

Accepted Answer

Tenant: a 30-day written notice expiring on the first day of a month at least 30 days after the notice. Landlord: cannot end a residential tenancy simply because the lease or month ends; may serve a notice to vacate only for a statutory cause, with the required period (e.g., 90 days for owner occupancy or sale, 120 days for renovation or substantial rehabilitation, 180 days for demolition or discontinuing housing use) and required statements of tenant rights (relocation assistance, right to reoccupy where applicable). All non-nonpayment notices must be served on both the tenant and the Rent Administrator; posted notices need a timestamped photo; covered-language translation required. (D.C. Code §§ 42-3202(b), 42-3505.01(a), (d)-(i))

Question 26

What must a District of Columbia security deposit itemization include?

Accepted Answer

At move-out the landlord must ask for a forwarding mailing or e-mail address. Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, written notice (personally, by e-mail, or certified mail to the forwarding address) of any amounts claimed: unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, or the cost of removing items left behind, with photographs or other supporting documentation, a statement of the tenant's right to dispute, and the landlord's contact information. Tenant has 30 calendar days to dispute; landlord must respond in writing within 10 days. Proof of service must be kept at least 60 days before sending any balance to a debt collector. (D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(c), (e))

Question 27

How long does a landlord have to sue for unpaid rent in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

3 years for an action on a simple contract, express or implied. This covers ordinary written and oral leases alike. 12 years for an instrument under seal. (D.C. Code § 12-301(6)-(7))

Question 28

Can a landlord accept rent during an eviction in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

No statute found. D.C.'s eviction statute does not address whether accepting full or partial rent after a notice waives the eviction. It does provide that a tenant cannot be evicted while they keep paying the rent the housing provider is entitled to, even after the lease expires. A nonpayment case cannot be filed for less than $600 owed, and the pre-filing notice tells the tenant they may stay if the full balance is paid. Waiver by accepting rent is a matter of D.C. case law. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a)(1), (a-1); § 16-1501(b))

Question 29

Can you be evicted in the winter in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. No housing provider may carry out an eviction: (1) on any day when the National Weather Service predicts at 8:00 a.m. that the temperature at National Airport will fall below 32°F (0°C); (2) while precipitation is falling at the rental unit; or (3) on any day when the 8:00 a.m. forecast is above 95°F (35°C). These limits do not apply where a court has found the tenant committed an illegal act in the unit, has made a specific finding that the tenant's presence causes undue hardship to the health, welfare and safety of other tenants or neighbors, or has found the tenant abandoned the unit. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(k), (k-1))

Question 30

Can a landlord give notice by text or email in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Every eviction requires a written notice. Notices for any reason other than nonpayment must be served on both the tenant and the Rent Administrator. If a notice or summons is served by posting, a photo with a readable timestamp must be filed with the court. The notice must be in the tenant's primary language if the landlord knows it is another covered language. The 10-day notice of intent to file for nonpayment must be sent by certified mail, or a delivery service with tracking, return receipt requested, and also hand-delivered to the unit or posted on its front door. For other Rental Housing Act documents, service may be made by hand, by leaving the document with a responsible person at the person's business or a person of suitable age at their residence, by mail, or as the Rental Housing Commission or Rent Administrator orders. No statute authorizes email service of eviction notices. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a)(1)-(4), (a-1)(3); § 42-3509.04(a))

Question 31

How much notice is required for a rent increase in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

A rent increase does not take effect until the first regular rent day that falls more than 60 calendar days after the tenant receives notice. For rent-stabilized units, an increase above base rent also requires: housing-code compliance, registration, licensing, notice that complies with § 42-3509.04, and notice of the lower cap for elderly and disabled tenants. A lease may not require a tenant to give more than 30 days' notice to vacate unless the landlord must give rent-increase notice at least 30 days longer than that period. (D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b); § 42-3502.08(a)(1); § 42-3505.54(b))

Question 32

Does a landlord have to give a copy of the lease in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

When a prospective tenant applies, the housing provider must give a disclosure form published by the Rent Administrator, with supporting documents. It covers: the rent; pending petitions; surcharges; how often rent may be raised; rent-control or exempt status, with the business license and registration; housing code violation reports from the last 12 months; the Rent Administrator's rent-increase pamphlet; application fee, deposit, interest and return method; condo or co-op conversion status; ownership information; known mold in the last 3 years; and the Tenant Bill of Rights. Disclosure compilations must be kept available for inspection. Once a year on request, the landlord must disclose the rent increases of the past 3 years within 10 business days. No statute found requiring the landlord to hand over a copy of the signed lease. (D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(a)-(b))

Question 33

What are tenants' rights in a foreclosure in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Foreclosure or sale is not a ground for eviction. Under the Rental Housing Act, a tenant may be evicted only for the statutory reasons and only with the required notice, and may not be evicted while paying rent, even after the lease expires. A new owner, including a foreclosure buyer, takes the property subject to the tenancy. Before an owner sells a housing accommodation, or issues a notice to vacate for demolition or discontinuance of housing use, it must give tenants an opportunity to purchase (TOPA) on bona fide terms. Tenants also have a 15-day right of first refusal after receiving a third-party sales contract. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a)(1); § 42-3404.02(a); § 42-3404.08)

Question 34

Does a landlord have to fix mold in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. After written or electronic notice from a tenant that mold or suspected mold exists in the unit or a common area, the property owner must inspect within 7 days and remediate within 30 days of the inspection (unless a shorter deadline is ordered). Mold above the District's contamination threshold must be remediated by a licensed mold remediation professional. A professional mold assessment finding contamination creates a rebuttable presumption of a housing code violation, and a court may award assessment costs, attorney fees and, for bad-faith failure to remediate within 60 days, treble damages. When a tenant applies, the landlord must disclose either a 3-year history of mold contamination in the unit and common areas or proof of proper remediation. (D.C. Code §§ 8-241.01, 8-241.02, 8-241.04, 8-241.05(a); D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights (OTA, rev. Sept. 25, 2026))

Question 35

Who pays for pest control and bed bugs in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

No bed-bug-specific statute. Under the D.C. Housing Code, all rental dwellings must be free of insects and rodents, and structures and exterior property must be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Keeping the premises free of rodents and pests is part of the implied warranty of habitability; maintenance of the unit is a shared responsibility, while common areas are primarily the landlord's responsibility. (D.C. Housing Code (14 DCMR) and Property Maintenance Code (12G DCMR), as summarized by the Department of Buildings; D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights § 7)

Question 36

Does a landlord have to provide heat in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Heating equipment must keep all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms at no less than 68°F from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and 65°F from 11:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., from October 1 to May 1. With a two-pipe system or any system needing more than 15 days to switch from air conditioning to heat, heat must start no later than October 15. Landlords must also have heating and hot water systems professionally tested annually. (14 DCMR § 501; D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights § 7)

Question 37

Does a landlord have to provide air conditioning in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Where an air-conditioning system is provided, it must be operated and maintained from no later than May 15 through no earlier than September 15, keeping the rooms it serves at the greater of 78°F or at least 15°F below the outside temperature. The Housing Code does not require a landlord to install air conditioning where none is provided. (D.C. Property Maintenance Code (12G DCMR) / Housing Code (14 DCMR), as summarized by the Department of Buildings)

Question 38

What can a landlord deduct from a deposit for cleaning or damage in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

The landlord may charge the deposit for the cost of repairing damage caused by the tenant or a guest, but not for repairing ordinary wear and tear. Within 45 days after the tenant vacates, the landlord must either return the deposit with interest (for tenancies of 12 months or more) or give written notice of amounts claimed, and must return any balance within 30 days after that notice. (14 DCMR §§ 308-311; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17; D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights § 4)

Question 39

Can a landlord put cameras in or around a rental in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

No landlord-specific statute. It is a crime to install or maintain a peephole, mirror or any electronic device to secretly observe someone using a bathroom, undressing or engaged in sexual activity, or to record such a person without express and informed consent where they expect privacy. Intercepting oral or wire communications is illegal unless the person is a party or one party consents. Bathrooms and bedrooms must be private under the Housing Code. Outside emergencies, the landlord must give reasonable notice (48 hours unless the lease says otherwise or the tenant agrees) before entering. (D.C. Code §§ 22-3531, 23-542; D.C. Code § 42-3505.51; D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights § 7)

Question 40

Can a landlord limit guests or roommates in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

No guest-versus-tenant statute — the lease governs guests and roommates. The Housing Code sets space-based occupancy standards: every bedroom must have at least 70 square feet, and a bedroom used by more than one person must have at least 50 square feet per occupant. (D.C. Housing Code (14 DCMR), as summarized by the Department of Buildings)

Question 41

Can a landlord deny a service or emotional support animal in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

No D.C. statute specifically on service or emotional support animal documentation, misrepresentation penalties or pet-fee limits in housing. Requests to keep an assistance animal are reasonable-accommodation requests under the D.C. Human Rights Act's ban on disability discrimination in housing and the federal Fair Housing Act. (D.C. Code § 2-1402.21)

Security deposit limit	May not exceed the initial monthly rent (one month's rent), and must be held in an interest-bearing account. Source: 14 DCMR §§ 308-311; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17 (as summarized in OTA Tenant Bill of Rights, Form OTA 2026.09.25)
Deposit return 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. If amounts are claimed, the balance must be returned within 30 days after that notice. § 42-3502.17(e) (https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3502.17) also requires the landlord to request a forwarding address at move-out; it was most recently amended by D.C. Law 26-156 (eff. Aug. 14, 2026). A separate 2025 amendment (D.C. Law 25-308) is not implemented because it was not funded. Source: 14 DCMR § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(e)
Itemized deductions	Within 45 days, written notice of any claimed unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, or cost of removing abandoned items, with supporting documentation and a statement of the tenant's right to dispute. Tenant has 30 days to dispute; landlord must respond within 10 days. Ordinary wear and tear may not be charged. Landlord must keep proof of the notice at least 60 days before sending an amount to a debt collector. Deposit disputes may be heard by the Office of Administrative Hearings (§ 42-3502.17(b)). Source: D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(c), (e)
Interest on deposits	Required for tenancies of 12 months or more; deposit must be held in an interest-bearing account and interest returned with the deposit. Source: 14 DCMR §§ 308-311
Penalty for withholding	A housing provider who fails to return a security deposit rightfully owed is liable to the tenant for the amount withheld, or treble damages if it acted in bad faith. Failing to pay interest owed on the deposit makes the provider liable to the tenant for the interest, or treble that amount in bad faith; a willful failure to pay interest carries a civil fine of up to $5,000 per violation. 'Bad faith' means a frivolous or unfounded refusal motivated by a fraudulent, deceptive, dishonest, or unreasonably self-serving purpose, not simple negligence or an honest belief. Taken from the enacted amending acts (D.C. Law 19-140, approved Apr. 9, 2012; D.C. Law 16-276, https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/laws/docs/16-276.pdf); check the current 14 DCMR text at dcregs.dc.gov for later rulemaking. Deposit complaints may also be heard by the Office of Administrative Hearings (D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(b)). Source: 14 DCMR §§ 309 (new sub-paragraph (d)), 311.1-311.2, as amended by D.C. Law 16-276 and D.C. Law 19-140 (Tenant Security Deposits Clarification Amendment Act of 2012)

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 delivery or posting. No eviction case may be filed if less than $600 is owed, and no eviction for unpaid late fees. Reduced from 30 to 10 days by the RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Law 26-80, eff. Dec. 31, 2025). The statutory notice wording in § 42-3505.01(a-1)(2) still says the tenant may pay 'within 30 days of this notice.' The Rental Housing Commission reads the 10-day change as superseding that wording and has proposed a rule (14 DCMR § 4300.7(c), proposed Apr. 3, 2026) requiring the notice to state 10 days; that rule was not yet final as of October 2026. Until the text is fixed, a court may scrutinize a notice that gives less time than its own wording promises. Source: D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.01(a)(1), (a-1); 16-1501
Notice for lease violations	30-day notice to correct or vacate; the landlord can recover possession only if the tenant fails to correct the violation within 30 days after receiving notice. Illegal-act cases: 30-day notice to vacate after a court finding; for complaints filed after Dec. 31, 2025 involving a dangerous crime or crime of violence, 10-day notice to vacate with no cure and an expedited hearing within 20 days of filing. Notices for reasons other than nonpayment must also be filed with the Rent Administrator. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(b), (c)
Lockouts & utility shutoffs	Self-help eviction is prohibited: landlord may not cut off utilities or change the locks to evict. Any eviction must follow a court order after the notice to vacate expires and be scheduled and supervised by the U.S. Marshals Service. Specific statutory damages for an illegal lockout were not verified. Source: D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.01, 42-3505.01a, 16-1501 (as summarized in OTA Tenant Bill of Rights)

Repair and deduct	No statute — the D.C. Code has no general repair-and-deduct remedy (the former smoke-detector installation provision, § 6-751.10, is repealed). Tenants rely instead on the implied warranty of habitability (case law), lawful rent withholding after notice (protected by § 42-3505.02), and housing-code enforcement by the Department of Buildings. Self-help repairs and deductions are risky without a court order or written landlord agreement; D.C. courts have recognized habitability defenses in nonpayment cases. Source: D.C. Code Title 42, Ch. 35 (Rental Housing Act); § 6-751.10 (repealed); § 42-3505.02
Withholding rent	Recognized indirectly: the anti-retaliation statute protects a tenant who 'legally withheld' rent after giving reasonable notice of a housing-regulation violation. Leases carry an implied warranty of habitability. No statutory escrow procedure was found. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.02(b)
Retaliation protection	Landlord may not retaliate (eviction, rent increase, service cuts, harassment, privacy violations, refusing to renew or honor the lease) for: witnessed or written repair requests, contacting officials about code violations, lawfully withholding rent after notice, tenant organizing, enforcing lease rights, or suing the landlord. If the landlord acts within 6 months after such an act, retaliation is presumed and the landlord must rebut it by clear and convincing evidence. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.02

Mold	Yes. After written or electronic notice from a tenant that mold or suspected mold exists in the unit or a common area, the property owner must inspect within 7 days and remediate within 30 days of the inspection (unless a shorter deadline is ordered). Mold above the District's contamination threshold must be remediated by a licensed mold remediation professional. A professional mold assessment finding contamination creates a rebuttable presumption of a housing code violation, and a court may award assessment costs, attorney fees and, for bad-faith failure to remediate within 60 days, treble damages. When a tenant applies, the landlord must disclose either a 3-year history of mold contamination in the unit and common areas or proof of proper remediation. Enacted by D.C. Law 20-135 (2014). Some 2021 amendments to § 8-241.05 (D.C. Law 23-188) are not funded and not in effect. Source: D.C. Code §§ 8-241.01, 8-241.02, 8-241.04, 8-241.05(a); D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights (OTA, rev. Sept. 25, 2026)
Pests & bed bugs	No bed-bug-specific statute. Under the D.C. Housing Code, all rental dwellings must be free of insects and rodents, and structures and exterior property must be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Keeping the premises free of rodents and pests is part of the implied warranty of habitability; maintenance of the unit is a shared responsibility, while common areas are primarily the landlord's responsibility. Official regulation text not freely readable online in a form that could be retrieved; requirements taken from the Department of Buildings' housing code standards page and the Office of the Tenant Advocate's Tenant Bill of Rights. Tenants may request a Department of Buildings inspection. Source: D.C. Housing Code (14 DCMR) and Property Maintenance Code (12G DCMR), as summarized by the Department of Buildings; D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights § 7
Heat	Yes. Heating equipment must keep all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms at no less than 68°F from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and 65°F from 11:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., from October 1 to May 1. With a two-pipe system or any system needing more than 15 days to switch from air conditioning to heat, heat must start no later than October 15. Landlords must also have heating and hot water systems professionally tested annually. Official regulation text not freely readable online in a retrievable form; temperatures taken from the D.C. Attorney General's tenant alert and the Department of Buildings' housing code standards page. Hot water must reach at least 110°F inside the unit. Source: 14 DCMR § 501; D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights § 7
Air conditioning	Where an air-conditioning system is provided, it must be operated and maintained from no later than May 15 through no earlier than September 15, keeping the rooms it serves at the greater of 78°F or at least 15°F below the outside temperature. The Housing Code does not require a landlord to install air conditioning where none is provided. Official regulation text not freely readable online in a retrievable form; standard taken from the Department of Buildings' housing code standards page. Source: D.C. Property Maintenance Code (12G DCMR) / Housing Code (14 DCMR), as summarized by the Department of Buildings

Cameras & privacy	No landlord-specific statute. It is a crime to install or maintain a peephole, mirror or any electronic device to secretly observe someone using a bathroom, undressing or engaged in sexual activity, or to record such a person without express and informed consent where they expect privacy. Intercepting oral or wire communications is illegal unless the person is a party or one party consents. Bathrooms and bedrooms must be private under the Housing Code. Outside emergencies, the landlord must give reasonable notice (48 hours unless the lease says otherwise or the tenant agrees) before entering. Retaliation for exercising tenant rights, including through privacy violations, is prohibited (Tenant Bill of Rights § 9). Source: D.C. Code §§ 22-3531, 23-542; D.C. Code § 42-3505.51; D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights § 7
Guests & occupants	No guest-versus-tenant statute — the lease governs guests and roommates. The Housing Code sets space-based occupancy standards: every bedroom must have at least 70 square feet, and a bedroom used by more than one person must have at least 50 square feet per occupant. D.C.'s just-cause eviction rules (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01) limit evictions over lease violations such as unauthorized occupants; see the eviction fields. Source: D.C. Housing Code (14 DCMR), as summarized by the Department of Buildings
Service & support animals (state law)	No D.C. statute specifically on service or emotional support animal documentation, misrepresentation penalties or pet-fee limits in housing. Requests to keep an assistance animal are reasonable-accommodation requests under the D.C. Human Rights Act's ban on disability discrimination in housing and the federal Fair Housing Act. § 2-1402.21 does not mention animals; the accommodation duty comes from its disability-discrimination provisions and federal law. Source: D.C. Code § 2-1402.21

District of Columbia Landlord-Tenant Law

Quick answers for District of Columbia

Security Deposits in District of Columbia

Eviction in District of Columbia

Notice to Vacate in District of Columbia

Landlord Entry in District of Columbia

Repairs & Habitability in District of Columbia

Rent Increases & Late Fees in District of Columbia

Breaking a Lease in District of Columbia

Squatters & Abandoned Property in District of Columbia

Rental Fees in District of Columbia

Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel in District of Columbia

Mold, Pests, Heat & AC in District of Columbia

Privacy, Guests & Animals in District of Columbia

How eviction works in District of Columbia

What surprises people about District of Columbia rental law

Federal law that also applies in District of Columbia

For landlords

Common District of Columbia questions

Free calculators

How District of Columbia compares to neighboring states

District of Columbia landlord-tenant FAQ

Official resources for District of Columbia

State	Security deposit limit	Deposit return deadline	Notice for unpaid rent
District of Columbia	May not exceed the initial monthly rent (one month's rent), and must be held in an interest-bearing account. 14 DCMR §§ 308-311; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17 (as summarized in OTA Tenant Bill of Rights, Form OTA 2026.09.25)	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. If amounts are claimed, the balance must be returned within 30 days after that notice. 14 DCMR § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(e)	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 delivery or posting. No eviction case may be filed if less than $600 is owed, and no eviction for unpaid late fees. D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.01(a)(1), (a-1); 16-1501
Maryland	1 month's rent per dwelling unit, regardless of the number of tenants. Up to 2 months' rent is allowed only if the tenant qualifies for Department of Human Services utility assistance, the lease requires the tenant to pay utilities directly to the landlord, and both agree in writing. A landlord who charges more than the cap can be sued for up to 3 times the extra amount plus reasonable attorney's fees. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)(1)-(3)	Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit plus accrued interest, less damages rightfully withheld. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(1)	Before filing a failure-to-pay-rent case, the landlord must give the tenant written notice of intent to file (Maryland Judiciary form DC-CV-115) giving the tenant 10 days to pay. Notice may be sent by first-class mail with certificate of mailing, affixed to the door, or (if the tenant elected it) by email, text, or tenant portal with proof of transmission. The complaint must state the date notice was given. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-401(c)
Virginia	Two months' periodic rent. Va. Code 55.1-1226(A)	45 days after termination of the tenancy or the date the tenant vacates, whichever is later. Va. Code 55.1-1226(A)	14-day written pay-or-quit notice. Va. Code 55.1-1245(F)