District of Columbia Security Deposit Law
A 2026 guide for District of Columbia landlords: how much you can hold, the 45-day deadline to return it, whether interest is required, and the penalties for getting it wrong — plus a free calculator set to District of Columbia's rules.
Deposit cap
1 month's rent
Refund deadline
45 days
Interest required?
Yes
Interest at the passbook savings rate is required for the deposit period.
Separate account?
Not required
Penalty for noncompliance
Improper withholding can lead to treble damages.
Statute: D.C. Code § 42-3502.17
District of Columbia security deposit refund calculator
Pre-set to District of Columbia's 45-day deadline and interest rule. Enter the deposit and any deductions to see the refund and the exact due date.
District of Columbia generally requires interest on held deposits. This estimate uses a 5% simple annual rate — confirm the exact current rate for your state before finalizing.
Itemized deductions
Result
$1,500.00
Amount owed back to the tenant
- Deposit held
- $1,500.00
- Estimated interest
- $0.00
- Total deductions
- −$0.00
Legal deadline in District of Columbia
Return the deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 45 days of move-out.
How to return a security deposit in District of Columbia
- 1
Inspect and document the unit
As soon as the tenant moves out, photograph every room and compare it against the move-in condition. In District of Columbia, deductions generally must reflect actual damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- 2
Itemize every deduction in writing
List each deduction with a dollar amount. District of Columbia — like nearly every state — can bar a landlord from keeping any of the deposit if deductions aren't itemized in a written statement.
- 3
Add any interest owed
District of Columbia requires interest on held deposits. Interest at the passbook savings rate is required for the deposit period. Include the interest in the amount returned.
- 4
Return the balance within 45 days
Send the remaining balance and the itemized statement to the tenant's forwarding address within 45 days of move-out. Missing this deadline is the single most common way landlords lose a deposit dispute.
District of Columbia security deposit FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in District of Columbia?
1 month's rent.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in District of Columbia?
A landlord generally has 45 days after the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions.
Is interest required on security deposits in District of Columbia?
Interest at the passbook savings rate is required for the deposit period.
Does District of Columbia require the deposit to be held in a separate account?
District of Columbia does not impose a statewide separate-account requirement, though keeping deposits separate is still good practice.
What happens if a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit in District of Columbia?
Improper withholding can lead to treble damages.
Related free tools
Deposit laws in other states
This page summarizes general state-level rules as of 2026 and does not cover city or county ordinances, which can be stricter. Verify against the statute cited above (D.C. Code § 42-3502.17) or with a local attorney before relying on it.