How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, a security deposit is capped at 1 month of rent. One month's rent. This is 14 DCMR §§ 308–311 (as amended by D.C. Law 16-276).
| What | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Maximum deposit | 1 month of rent |
| Deadline to return it | 45 days |
Source
14 DCMR §§ 308–311 (as amended by D.C. Law 16-276)
Read the statute in the Code of the District of Columbia (DC Council): code.dccouncil.gov.
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 computes the deadline this rule sets from the tenancy’s own dates, shows it on the deposit statement, and reminds the landlord before it falls due — so the answer above is not reference material sitting beside the product, it is the rule the product enforces.
Guides on this rule
- D.C. Landlord-Tenant Law After the RENTAL Act: 2026 Guide — Washington, D.C. rules for 2026: the 10-day nonpayment notice and $600 floor, the 5% late fee cap, rent control caps of 4.1% and 2.1%, deposits and TOPA.
- Security Deposit Alternatives: Texas and Maine Rules — The Texas rules for a monthly fee in lieu of a deposit, Maine’s surety-bond limits, and the Texas notice before reporting a no-deposit tenant’s damages.
- Security Deposits Explained: Rules and Getting It Back — How security deposits work: typical amounts and state caps, what a deposit may cover, return deadlines, and how renters get the full deposit back.
- Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals: A Landlord’s Guide — How to handle assistance animal requests in 2026, after HUD withdrew its 2013 and 2020 notices: what the law still requires, what you can ask, and state rules.
Compare this rule in every state
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