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Rent increases in District of Columbia

Source: D.C. Code §§ 42-3509.04(b), 42-3502.05, 42-3502.06, 42-3502.08, 42-3502.24, 42-3505.02 · Checked against the statute

Notice
61 days
Statewide cap
CPI-W (Washington area, prior calendar year) + 2%, never more than 10%; elderly or disabled tenants: lowest of CPI-W, Social Security COLA, or 5% (2026: 2.1%–4.1% by region or tenant)
During a lease
Not during a fixed-term lease
Local rent control
Allowed

When can a rent increase start in District of Columbia?

Choose the state and the date the notice is given.

How much notice is required

No rent increase takes effect until the first rent due date that falls more than 60 calendar days after the tenant receives notice (60 days since D.C. Law 25-65, Nov. 28, 2023). For rent-stabilized units the notice must list current and new rent and include a tenant-rights summary. (D.C. Code §§ 42-3509.04(b), 42-3502.08(f))

Applies toWhenNotice
Any tenancy—61 days
  • The change can only start at the end of a rental period (on a rent day).

Example: a notice handed over on November 2, 2026 in District of Columbia

Earliest date the new rent can start, with rent due on the 1st, worked out from the District of Columbia rule above:

  • For a month-to-month tenant of 1 year raising rent 5% or a month-to-month tenant of 3 years raising rent 12% or a week-to-week tenant raising rent 5%: Monday, February 1, 2027

Is there a limit on how much rent can go up?

Applies only to rent-stabilized units; exempt units have no cap. Rent may not be raised until 12 full months after the last increase, and the building must be registered and in substantial code compliance. (D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.05(a), 42-3502.06(b), 42-3502.08(a),(g),(h), 42-3502.24)

Formula:
CPI-W (Washington area, prior calendar year) + 2%, never more than 10%; elderly or disabled tenants: lowest of CPI-W, Social Security COLA, or 5%
2026 maximum:
4.1% (DC Rental Housing Commission via Office of the Tenant Advocate – standard max, rent-control year May 1, 2026–Apr. 30, 2027)
2026 maximum:
2.1% (DC Rental Housing Commission via Office of the Tenant Advocate – registered elderly/disabled tenants, May 1, 2026–Apr. 30, 2027)
Not covered:
Units built under permits after 1975 (or added after 1980); owners of 4 or fewer units who claim the exemption; federally/District-subsidized units; certain co-ops and vacant-since-1985 buildings
How often:
once in 12 months

Raising rent during a lease

For rent-stabilized units, rent may not be adjusted during a written lease that sets the rent for its term. (D.C. Code § 42-3502.08(e))

City and county rent control

The District itself runs rent stabilization under the Rental Housing Act of 1985; there are no separate local rules. (D.C. Code § 42-3502.05)

Retaliatory rent increases

An unlawful rent increase can be retaliation. If within the prior 6 months the tenant requested repairs, contacted inspectors, legally withheld rent, organized, asserted lease rights or sued, retaliation is presumed unless the landlord proves otherwise by clear and convincing evidence. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.02)

Also good to know

  • Temporary acts in 2023–2025 changed the cap ceilings; the codified formula is shown above.
  • A tenant may challenge an increase with the Rent Administrator within 3 years (§ 42-3502.06(e)).
  • If a lease requires the tenant to give more than 30 days' notice to vacate, it must also require the landlord to give written notice of any rent increase at least 30 days longer than that period (D.C. Code § 42-3505.54(b)).

Other District of Columbia renting rules in numbers

Security deposit
Any security deposit or other security payment may not exceed the first full month's rent and may be charged only once. Return deadline: 45 days after the tenancy terminates.
Notice for unpaid rent
10 days (pay or move out)
How a written notice is delivered (eviction-notice rules)
The nonpayment notice must be sent BOTH by certified mail or a tracked delivery service (return receipt requested) AND by hand delivery to the unit or posting on the front door (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)(3)). If a notice is posted, a timestamped photo must be submitted to the court. Notices for reasons other than nonpayment must be served on both the tenant and the Rent Administrator. If the landlord knows the tenant's primary language is another covered language, the notice must be in that language (§ 42-3505.01(a)).
Notice for other lease violations
30 days (fix it or move out)
Small claims court limit
$10,000 — where most deposit and rent disputes are filed.
Repairs
Time to repair: A reasonable time. Repair and deduct: not addressed by state law; withholding rent: allowed with limits.
Deposit kept wrongly
A landlord who fails to return a deposit owed is liable for the amount withheld, or treble damages for bad faith (14 DCMR § 309.5). Missing the deadlines is prima facie evidence the tenant is owed the full deposit plus interest.
Lawful reasons to end a lease early
Domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking

Sources

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 15, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; for a dispute, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.