District of Columbia landlord and tenant rules

Seayora publishes 9 District of Columbia rules, covering contractor sales tax, notice periods, security deposits. Every one is generated from the statute it cites — the same rule Seayora's own deadline engine enforces on a live tenancy — and carries the date it was last checked.

District of Columbia at a glance

RuleDistrict of Columbia
Do contractors charge sales tax in District of Columbia?Consumer of materials
Is appliance repair taxable in District of Columbia?Taxable, with the parts
How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in District of Columbia?30 days
How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering in District of Columbia?48 hours
How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in District of Columbia?30 days
How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in District of Columbia?30 days
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in District of Columbia?Interest at the statutory passbook rate, credited annually.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in District of Columbia?45 days
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in District of Columbia?1 month of rent

Contractor sales tax in District of Columbia

Do contractors charge sales tax in District of Columbia?

In District of Columbia a contractor is treated as the CONSUMER of the materials they build into real property. That means the contractor pays sales tax when they buy the materials, and does not add sales tax to the customer's invoice for that work — the tax is already inside the price. Source: D.C. Code §47-2001(n)(1) (retail sale definition); real property construction contractors are consumers of materials.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

Is appliance repair taxable in District of Columbia?

Yes. District of Columbia taxes the LABOR on repairs to tangible personal property — an appliance, a boiler or a unit that never becomes part of the building — as well as the parts. This is a different question from work on the real property itself: the same technician on the same visit can be doing taxable work on an appliance and differently treated work on the structure, and the invoice has to tell them apart. Source: D.C. Code §47-2001(n)(1) (retail sale definition); real property construction contractors are consumers of materials.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

Notice periods in District of Columbia

How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in District of Columbia?

In District of Columbia, a landlord must give a written demand and allow 30 days to pay before starting a nonpayment case. This is D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.08, 42-3505.51, 42-3505.01.

Rent-stabilised increases are capped and need 30 days. Entry: 48 hours. Late rent: 30-day notice to cure.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering in District of Columbia?

In District of Columbia, a landlord must give 48 hours notice before entering an occupied rental, other than in an emergency. This is D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.08, 42-3505.51, 42-3505.01.

Rent-stabilised increases are capped and need 30 days. Entry: 48 hours. Late rent: 30-day notice to cure.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in District of Columbia?

In District of Columbia, a landlord must give 30 days written notice before raising the rent. This is D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.08, 42-3505.51, 42-3505.01.

Rent-stabilised increases are capped and need 30 days. Entry: 48 hours. Late rent: 30-day notice to cure.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in District of Columbia?

In District of Columbia, a landlord must give 30 days written notice to end a tenancy or decline to renew it. This is D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.08, 42-3505.51, 42-3505.01.

Rent-stabilised increases are capped and need 30 days. Entry: 48 hours. Late rent: 30-day notice to cure.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

Security deposits in District of Columbia

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in District of Columbia?

Yes. District of Columbia requires a landlord to pay the tenant interest on a security deposit. Interest at the statutory passbook rate, credited annually. The deposit itself must be returned within 45 days of the end of the tenancy. This is 14 DCMR § 308–311.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

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 the statutory passbook rate, credited annually. This is 14 DCMR § 308–311.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

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.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

Sources

  • 14 DCMR § 308–311
  • D.C. Code §47-2001(n)(1) (retail sale definition); real property construction contractors are consumers of materials.
  • D.C. Code §§ 42-3502.08, 42-3505.51, 42-3505.01

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 these rules

Seayora computes the deadline this rule sets from the tenancy’s own dates, shows it on the lease and 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.

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