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District of Columbia security deposit law

Source: 14 DCMR §§ 308–311; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17 · Checked against the statute

Maximum 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; 30 days (see details) (Landlord sent a notice of intent to withhold)
If the landlord keeps it 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.

Calculate your District of Columbia deadline

Choose your state and move-out date to see when your landlord must return the deposit.

When the deposit must be returned

  • Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, either return the deposit with any interest owed, or notify the tenant in writing of the intent to withhold for proper expenses.
  • Within 30 days after that notice, refund the balance with interest and give an itemized statement of each repair or other use and its cost.

At the end of the tenancy, the landlord must ask the tenant for a forwarding mailing or email address (since Aug. 14, 2026). Notices go personally, by email, or by certified mail to that address (or the last known address).

Itemized list of deductions

Required: Yes. Itemized statement of repairs and other uses and the cost of each. Within 45 days, the landlord must also notify the tenant of any unpaid amounts claimed, with photos or other documentation and a statement of the tenant's right to dispute.

What can and can't be deducted

No withholding for ordinary wear and tear: deterioration from intended use, including breakage or malfunction due to age. It excludes damage from negligence, carelessness, accident, or abuse by the tenant, family, or guests. A promise to leave the unit in good repair doesn't require substantial repairs or replacing obsolete items.

Nonrefundable fees

Any 'other payment' taken as security counts toward the one-month cap. Since Aug. 14, 2026, landlords can't charge fees for services needed to keep the unit habitable (utilities, trash, locks, third-party billing fees).

Interest, bank account and move-in inspection

  • Interest required: Yes. Interest accrues at no less than the statement savings rate at the escrow bank, reset Jan. 1 and July 1. It is paid when a tenancy of 12 months or more ends. Bad-faith failure to pay means treble the interest.
  • Separate account required: Yes. Deposits must be held in an interest-bearing escrow account in trust at a D.C. financial institution. The landlord must post yearly where deposits are held and the interest rates.
  • Move-in inspection required: No. Not required. The landlord may inspect within 3 days (excluding weekends and holidays) before or after the tenancy ends, with written notice at least 10 days ahead.

Penalties and bad faith

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.

Bad faith means a frivolous or unfounded refusal to return the deposit driven by a fraudulent, deceptive, misleading, dishonest, or unreasonably self-serving purpose, not simple negligence or an honest belief.

Getting your deposit back in court

Superior Court Small Claims and Conciliation Branch handles money claims up to $10,000 (D.C. Code § 11-1321). Court information

Before filing, many tenants send a written demand first. Write a District of Columbia demand letter →

Also good to know

  • Tenants have 30 days to dispute claimed unpaid amounts; the landlord must reply within 10 days and keep proof of the notice at least 60 days before sending a debt to collections.
  • The Office of Administrative Hearings can decide complaints about unreturned deposits and unpaid interest.
  • The deposit rules don't apply to federally subsidized units or units leased by federal or D.C. agencies.

Sources

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 11, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; see our methodology.