District of Columbia Rent Increase Notice

A free District of Columbia rent increase notice that follows District of Columbia law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.

What District of Columbia law says

Notice before a rent increase	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. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b); § 42-3502.08(a)(1); § 42-3505.54(b)
Rent control / increase limits	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. Source: D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.08, 42-3502.06(e), 42-3502.24, 42-3509.04(b)

Notice before a rent increase

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.

Source: D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b); § 42-3502.08(a)(1); § 42-3505.54(b)

Rent control / increase limits

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.

Source: D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.08, 42-3502.06(e), 42-3502.24, 42-3509.04(b)

Fill in your letter

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To: [tenant name(s)]

Premises: [rental address]

Your rent will change from $[current rent] to $[new rent] per [month], starting [effective date].

This notice is given under D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b); § 42-3502.08(a)(1); § 42-3505.54(b). If a fixed-term lease is in effect, the new rent starts only when the lease allows a change.

All other terms of your tenancy stay the same.

Questions: [landlord name, phone, email].

Date: [today's date]
Landlord or agent: [your name]
Signature: ____________________

How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.