District of Columbia Security Deposit Demand Letter
A free District of Columbia security deposit demand letter 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
| 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. |
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| 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. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(c), (e) |
| 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. |
| Wear and tear / move-out charges | 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. |
Fill in your letter
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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]
From: [your name], former tenant at [rental address]
I moved out and returned the keys on [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[deposit amount]. I gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date you gave your address].
Under 14 DCMR § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(e), a landlord must return the deposit, or send an itemized list of lawful deductions, by the deadline set in that law. I have not received [the deposit / an itemized list].
Please send $[amount owed] to [forwarding address] within [number] days of this letter.
If I do not receive it, I plan to file a claim in small claims court and ask for any additional amount allowed by 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).
Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [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.