District of Columbia Landlord Entry Notice Law
District of Columbia landlords must give at least 48 hours' notice before entering a rented home.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
District of Columbia landlord entry notice rules at a glance
| Notice before entry | 48 hours' noticeD.C. Code § 42-3505.51 |
|---|---|
| Conditions | Written notice at least 48 hours ahead (email or text allowed; paper if the tenant does not acknowledge), only for a listed reasonable purpose and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., not on Sundays or federal holidays, unless the tenant agrees otherwise; no notice in an emergencyD.C. Code § 42-3505.51 |
What District of Columbia law says
How much notice must a District of Columbia landlord give before entering a rental?
A D.C. housing provider must give written notice at least 48 hours ahead and enter only for a legitimate purpose between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on a non-Sunday, non-holiday, unless the tenant agrees to something else or there is an emergency (D.C. Code § 42-3505.51).
How District of Columbia compares
7 other verified jurisdictions use 48 hours; 1 requires more.
None of District of Columbia's 2 neighbors follows the same rule.
Other District of Columbia rules
| Security deposit limit | 1 month's rent (with exceptions)14 DCMR § 308.2, 308.8, D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(a) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 45 days after the lease ends14 DCMR §§ 309.1, 309.2, D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(e) (45-day notice of unpaid amounts, added by D.C. Law 26-156) |
| Late-fee cap | Up to 5% of the full rent due, once per late payment; the maximum must be disclosed in the written lease; no fee on a subsidy provider's shareD.C. Code § 42-3505.31 |
| Rent-increase notice | 60 days (Increase takes effect only on the first regular rent day falling more than 60 calendar days after notice. Rent-stabilized units are also limited in amount and frequency)D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b), D.C. Law 25-65, § 2(f) (30 → 60 days) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | 10 days (Notice of nonpayment of rent and possible eviction (RAD Form 10))D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a), (a-1), RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025, D.C. Law 26-80, § 101(b) |
| Month-to-month termination | Landlord 90 days · tenant 30 daysD.C. Code § 42-3505.54(a), D.C. Code § 42-3202(b), D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a)-(k) |
Read the District of Columbia law
Put the entry-notice terms in writing
Related
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