Reference: the security deposit rule in each state and covered city. To settle a deposit, use the free Deposit settlement tool.
Reference
Security deposit rules in District of Columbia
District of Columbia: return the deposit within 45 calendar days of the end of the tenancy. 75 calendar days after the end of the tenancy if with deductions (Notice of intent to withhold within 45 days; balance and itemized statement within 30 days after the notice, so at most 75 days if notice is given on day 45. Compute from the actual notice date when known). Interest: conditional. Penalty if the deposit is kept in bad faith: 3x the amount withheld. (14 DCMR 308-311 (Housing Regulations 2908); D.C. Code 42-3502.17)
The rule in plain words
- Return by: 45 calendar days after the end of the tenancy.
- Deductions allowed: unpaid rent, damage beyond wear, moving and storage. Normal wear and tear never. Depreciation: none.
- Interest: Conditional.
- Penalty: 3x the amount withheld if the deposit is kept in bad faith.
- Deposit cap: 1 month(s) of rent.
The rule text
Within forty-five (45) days after the termination of the tenancy, the owner shall do one of the following: (1) Tender payment to the tenant, without demand, any security deposit ... and any interest due the tenant on that deposit ...; or (2) Notify the tenant in writing ... of the owner's intention to withhold ...
14 DCMR 309.1 (text as enacted by D.C. Law 16-276). Source: D.C. Law 16-276, Interest on Rental Security Deposits Amendment Act of 2006, read 2026-10-09.
Notes on this rule (1)
- D.C. Law 25-308 (2025-03-21) amendment to 42-3502.17 is not implemented (unfunded).
Research notes (2)
How we sourced this rule: where the text was read and what we could not check.
- Deposit rules live in the Housing Regulations (14 DCMR 308-311), not the D.C. Code; dcregs.dc.gov serves the text only via postback links, so the 309.1-309.2 wording comes from the enrolled D.C. Law 16-276 (2007) that set it.
- Interest condition (12+ months), deposit cap and the treble-damages wording were read only on ezel.ai; ezel quotes the older 'passbook rate' wording, superseded by 'statement savings rate'.
Worked example
A $2,000.00 deposit; the tenant moved in on June 1, 2023 and out on September 30, 2026. Intended deductions: $300.00 unpaid rent, $150.00 cleaning and a $1,200.00 carpet that was 5 years old.
- Return by
- December 14, 2026
75 calendar days after the end of the tenancy.
- Allowed deductions
- $1,500.00
Of $1,650.00 claimed.
- Refund due
- $500.00
Interest $0.00.
The draft statement for this example
DRAFT ITEMIZED STATEMENT OF SECURITY DEPOSIT Rule: 14 DCMR 308-311 (Housing Regulations 2908); D.C. Code 42-3502.17 (District of Columbia) Move-out date: September 30, 2026 Security deposit held $2,000.00 Interest credited see note Deduction: Unpaid rent -$300.00 Deduction: Carpet -$1,200.00 Total deductions -$1,500.00 Refund due to tenant $500.00 Return by December 14, 2026 Notes: - From 2026-08-14 (D.C. Law 26-156), a written notice of alleged unpaid amounts within 45 days of termination must include photographs or other documentation and the tenant's right to dispute (30 days); keep proof of service 60 days before referring to a debt collector. - Interest: Accrues at not less than the statement savings rate of the DC institution holding the escrow, set on January 1 and July 1 for each 6-month period (D.C. Law 16-276). At tenancy end the provider must list the rate for each 6-month period. Up to 30% of interest above that rate may be kept for admin costs. - Itemized under 14 DCMR 308-311 (Housing Regulations 2908); D.C. Code 42-3502.17.
Computes and cites the published rule; it is not legal advice. You sign the statement: check the statute, your lease and any local ordinance first. Read the disclaimer.