How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, a landlord has 45 days after the tenancy ends to return the security deposit, together with an itemised statement of any deductions. District of Columbia also requires interest to be paid on the deposit: Interest at not less than the statement savings rate of the D.C. bank holding the escrow account, set each January 1 and July 1 for the six months that follow, and all of it is the tenant's. This is 14 DCMR §§ 308–311 (as amended by D.C. Law 16-276).
| What | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Deadline to return | 45 days |
| Itemized statement required | Yes |
| Interest payable to the tenant | Yes |
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.
- Move-In Condition Reports: The States That Require One — Washington, Massachusetts and Virginia require a written record of a rental’s condition at move-in, with deadlines and penalties that protect the deposit.
- 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.
- What Happens to Tenants When a Rental Property Is Sold or Foreclosed — The federal 90-day foreclosure notice, when a lease survives a foreclosure, and how California, New York and Texas move a security deposit to a new owner.
Compare this rule in every state
More District of Columbia rules
- Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in District of Columbia?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in District of Columbia?
- How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in District of Columbia?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering in District of Columbia?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in District of Columbia?
- How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in District of Columbia?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in District of Columbia?
- Is there a grace period for paying rent in District of Columbia?
- Can a landlord change the locks to force a tenant out in District of Columbia?
- Does a landlord need a reason to evict a tenant in District of Columbia?
- How long does a tenant have to respond to an eviction case in District of Columbia?
- What are the steps to evict a tenant for unpaid rent in District of Columbia?
- Is there rent control in District of Columbia?
- Can a landlord refuse a Section 8 voucher in District of Columbia?
- Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in District of Columbia?
- Do contractors charge sales tax in District of Columbia?
- Is appliance repair taxable in District of Columbia?
- Every District of Columbia rule on one page