District of Columbia Rent Increase Law
District of Columbia requires at least 60 days' notice before a rent increase takes effect, and longer notice in some cases. District of Columbia also limits rent increases for covered units statewide.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
District of Columbia rent increase rules at a glance
| Notice of a rent increase | 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) |
|---|---|
| Rent control | Statewide limitD.C. Code § 42-3502.08(g)-(h), D.C. Code § 42-3502.06(b), D.C. Code § 42-3502.05(a), (d) |
| Ending a month-to-month tenancy | 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) |
Notice of a rent increase
- In effect since .
- Before : Increase effective on the first rent day more than 30 days after notice.
What District of Columbia law says
How much notice is required for a rent increase in District of Columbia?
In D.C. a rent increase cannot take effect until the first regular rent due date that falls more than 60 calendar days after the tenant gets notice (D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b)).
Does District of Columbia have rent control?
Most D.C. rental units built before 1976 are rent-stabilized: rent on an occupied unit may rise only once a year, by inflation (CPI-W) plus 2% and never more than 10%, unless the unit is registered as exempt (D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.05, 42-3502.06(b), 42-3502.08(g)-(h)) (D.C. Code § 42-3502.08(g)-(h)).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in District of Columbia?
A D.C. tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days' written notice that expires on the first of a month, but a housing provider can end one only for a cause listed in the Rental Housing Act, such as 90 days' notice for an owner move-in (D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.54(a), 42-3202(b), 42-3505.01) (D.C. Code § 42-3505.54(a)).
How District of Columbia compares
3 of 51 verified jurisdictions require more than 60 days.
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 |
| Entry notice | 48 hours' noticeD.C. Code § 42-3505.51 |
| 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) |
Read the District of Columbia law
Put the rent and renewal terms in writing
Related
- District of Columbia lease agreement
- District of Columbia landlord-tenant law
- Rent increase laws in every state
- District of Columbia notice to vacate
- District of Columbia late rent notice
- District of Columbia rent increase notice
- District of Columbia security deposit return letter
- District of Columbia notice of entry
- District of Columbia lease termination letter
- District of Columbia lease renewal letter