Room Rental Agreement in District of Columbia

For renting a room in a home, including your own home. Some states treat a renter in the owner's home (a lodger) differently when ending the arrangement — see your state's household rules.

What District of Columbia law says

Renting a room in your own home (lodgers)	No separate lodger statute. A "rental unit" expressly includes a room, and a "housing accommodation" is any structure with one or more rental units, so a room rented in an owner-occupied home generally falls under the Rental Housing Act's eviction rules. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3501.03 (housing accommodation, rental unit)
Tenancy at will	A tenancy at will may be ended by 30 days' written notice from either landlord or tenant, and a tenancy by sufferance by written notice to quit (or the tenant's notice of intent to quit on the 30th day after service). For residential tenancies, however, the Rental Housing Act bars eviction except for listed causes, and a tenant may end a residential tenancy with a 30-day written notice expiring on the first day of a month. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code §§ 42-3203, 42-3204, 42-3202(b), 42-3505.01(a)

Renting a room in your own home (lodgers)

No separate lodger statute. A "rental unit" expressly includes a room, and a "housing accommodation" is any structure with one or more rental units, so a room rented in an owner-occupied home generally falls under the Rental Housing Act's eviction rules.

Re-verified 2026-10-27.

Source: D.C. Code § 42-3501.03 (housing accommodation, rental unit)

Tenancy at will

A tenancy at will may be ended by 30 days' written notice from either landlord or tenant, and a tenancy by sufferance by written notice to quit (or the tenant's notice of intent to quit on the 30th day after service). For residential tenancies, however, the Rental Housing Act bars eviction except for listed causes, and a tenant may end a residential tenancy with a 30-day written notice expiring on the first day of a month.

Re-verified 2026-10-27.

Source: D.C. Code §§ 42-3203, 42-3204, 42-3202(b), 42-3505.01(a)

Fill it in

Nothing you type leaves your browser. Replace anything still highlighted, and keep a signed copy.

ROOM RENTAL AGREEMENT

Owner/landlord: [owner name] Renter: [renter name]

Room: [room description] in the home at [home address]. Shared areas the renter may use: [shared areas].

Term: begins [start date]; [ends on end date / continues month to month].

Rent: $[monthly rent] due on [due day] by [payment method]. Deposit: $[deposit amount].

Utilities included: [utilities included]. House rules: [house rules, e.g. guests, kitchen use, smoking].

Ending the agreement: either side gives at least [notice period] written notice, and never less than state law requires.

Signatures and dates: [signatures]

Room Rental Agreement 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.