How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, a late fee may not exceed 5% of the full amount of rent due. A housing provider may charge a late fee only if the full rent has not been paid within five days after it was due, or within any longer grace period the lease gives. This is D.C. Code § 42-3505.31.
| What | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Maximum late fee | 5% of the full amount of rent due |
| No late fee before | 5 days |
Source
D.C. Code § 42-3505.31 — last checked 2026-09-16.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
Seayora charges only the late fee written into the lease, after the grace period the lease sets, and adds no late fee of its own. This page states the statutory ceiling and waiting period so the terms of a lease can be checked against them before it is signed.
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