District of Columbia · DC
District of Columbia Landlord-Tenant Laws 2026
Security deposit limits, eviction notice requirements, rent increase rules, and every compliance deadline for District of Columbia landlords. 1 cities covered.
Based on District of Columbia state statutes + local rent control ordinances. Updated August 2026.
District of Columbia Landlord Law Summary
In District of Columbia, landlords must return security deposits within 45 days, provide 30-day eviction notice for nonpayment, and do not cap rent increases. Just cause eviction protections apply.
District of Columbia Landlord Rules at a Glance
Key compliance requirements every District of Columbia landlord must follow.
What Happens If You Violate District of Columbia Landlord-Tenant Law
Security deposit violation: Treble damages for bad faith retention of security deposit.
- Late deposit return: Miss the 45-day deadline and tenants can sue for up to 3x the withheld amount, plus interest.
- Improper eviction notice: Wrong notice period or procedure = case dismissed. You restart from zero and owe additional court costs.
- Illegal entry: Entering without 48-hour notice = harassment claim. Tenants can terminate the lease and sue for damages.
- Fair housing violation: First offense: $16,000+ federal fine. Repeat: $65,000+. Plus actual damages, attorney fees, and potential criminal penalties.
Don’t risk it. Let LeaseBase track District of Columbia compliance for you.
Deposit deadlines, eviction notice periods, rent cap calculations — monitored automatically across all 1 District of Columbia cities.
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District of Columbia Landlord-Tenant Statutes
The laws that govern residential rentals in District of Columbia.
Rental Housing Act of 1985
D.C. Code §42-3501.01 et seq.
Governs rent stabilization, tenant protections, registration requirements, and landlord obligations for rental housing in the District of Columbia.
District of Columbia Landlord Law Topics
Explore detailed rules by topic for any District of Columbia city.
Security Deposit Laws
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Eviction Process & Notice Requirements
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Rent Increase Laws
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Landlord Entry & Access Rules
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Maintenance & Habitability Standards
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Late Fee Limits
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Lease Termination & Renewal
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Fair Housing Protections
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Tenant Screening Rules
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Required Landlord Disclosures
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Rent Control
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Property Registration Requirements
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Top 1 District of Columbia Cities — Landlord Law Coverage
The largest District of Columbia cities by population, with median rent and deposit cap data. Click any city for detailed landlord-tenant law coverage.
All 1 District of Columbia Cities
Click any city to view its specific landlord-tenant laws, deadlines, and free calculators.
Free District of Columbia Landlord Calculators
Calculate compliance limits for any District of Columbia city. No signup required.
Rent Increase Calculator
Calculate maximum allowable rent increase in Washington →
Security Deposit Calculator
Calculate deposit limits and return deadlines in Washington →
Eviction Timeline Calculator
Calculate eviction notice periods and court timelines in Washington →
Late Fee Calculator
Calculate maximum legal late fees in Washington →
Full Compliance Check
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Deposit limits, rent caps, notice periods, required disclosures — checked for your property in 60 seconds.
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Everything you need to self-manage rental properties in District of Columbia — compliance tracking, rent collection, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions — District of Columbia Landlord Laws
Compliance tracking for your District of Columbia properties
LeaseBase monitors District of Columbia landlord-tenant law changes, tracks deadlines, and alerts you before penalties apply — across every city in your portfolio.
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Reviewed by Rachid Abadli
Founder & CEO, LeaseBase · Sacramento landlord · Self-managing since 2019
LeaseBase is a property management platform — not a law firm. Consult an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.
