Rental Application in District of Columbia

A rental application that collects what landlords commonly ask for. Follow your state's limits on application fees and fair-housing rules: ask every applicant the same questions.

What District of Columbia law says

Application / screening fees	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. Lease-assignment/sublet replacement fee is capped at the application-fee amount (§ 42-3505.10(b)(4)). Subsections (b-3) and (b-4) added by D.C. Law 25-308 are marked 'Not Funded' (not in effect). No portable-screening-report rule found. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.10(a)-(c), (f)
Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income	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. Holding deposits may not be required from voucher holders (§ 42-3505.10(b)(5)). Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 2-1402.21(a), (e)

Application / screening fees

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.

Lease-assignment/sublet replacement fee is capped at the application-fee amount (§ 42-3505.10(b)(4)). Subsections (b-3) and (b-4) added by D.C. Law 25-308 are marked 'Not Funded' (not in effect). No portable-screening-report rule found. Re-verified 2026-10-27.

Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.10(a)-(c), (f)

Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income

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.

Holding deposits may not be required from voucher holders (§ 42-3505.10(b)(5)). Re-verified 2026-10-27.

Source: D.C. Code § 2-1402.21(a), (e)

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RENTAL APPLICATION — [rental address]

Applicant name: [applicant name] Phone: [phone] Email: [email]

Current address: [current address] How long: [time at current address] Current rent: $[current rent]

Current landlord: [current landlord name and phone]

Previous address and landlord: [previous address and landlord]

Employer: [employer] Position: [position] Monthly income: $[monthly income] Other income (including housing vouchers or benefits): [other income]

Other adults who will live in the unit: [other adult occupants] Number of minors: [number of minors]

Pets or assistance animals: [pets] Vehicles: [vehicles]

Application fee: $[application fee] (see your state's rule above). Screening company used: [screening company name and contact]

I authorize the landlord to verify this information and obtain a tenant screening or credit report. Signature: ____________ Date: [date signed]

Rental Application for other states · District of Columbia tenant rights

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.