District of Columbia Security Deposit Law
District of Columbia rules on security deposits for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short 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)
The rules in District of Columbia
| Security deposit limit | May not exceed the initial monthly rent (one month's rent), and must be held in an interest-bearing account. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
|---|---|
| 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. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
| 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)). Re-verified 2026-10-27. 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)). Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
Free calculators
- Security Deposit Deadline Calculator — See when your landlord must return your deposit, and the penalty your state sets if they don't.
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Related questions
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?
- What can a landlord charge for at move-out (cleaning, painting, carpet)?
District of Columbia vs. neighboring states
| State | Security deposit limit | Deposit return deadline | Itemized deductions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | 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) |
| 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) | Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must send a written list of damages claimed plus an itemized statement of the cost of each (with supporting documentation; cost estimates allowed) by first-class mail to the tenant's last known address. If the landlord does not, it forfeits the right to withhold any of the deposit for damages. Where estimates were used, the landlord must notify the tenant when repairs are done and refund any excess within 30 days. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(g), (j), (k) |
| 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) | Required: written notice itemizing the deposit and any deductions, damages and charges, delivered with any refund within the 45-day period. Va. Code 55.1-1226(A) |
More District of Columbia rental law
- District of Columbia Eviction Laws
- District of Columbia Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- District of Columbia Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Breaking a Lease in District of Columbia
- Squatters' Rights in District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Rental Fee Rules
- District of Columbia Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
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- District of Columbia Landlord Selling the House
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- All District of Columbia landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in District of Columbia
Compare security deposits in all 50 states and DC →
District of Columbia Security Deposit Law FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in 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))
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in District of Columbia?
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))
Does a landlord in District of Columbia have to give an itemized list of deposit 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. (D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(c), (e))
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in District of Columbia?
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)
What happens if a landlord in District of Columbia wrongfully keeps a security deposit?
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))
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.