District of Columbia Rental Application

A landlord's tenant application with lawful screening questions, fee disclosure and FCRA consent, adjusted to your state's rules.

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District of Columbia rules that this document follows

Application fee limit$50.00 maximumSource: D.C. Code § 42-3505.10(b) ($50, CPI-adjusted annually from 1/1/2024)
Refund ruleMust refund any portion not used for screening; fee may not be charged before disclosures are givenSource: D.C. Code § 42-3505.10(b) ($50, CPI-adjusted annually from 1/1/2024)
Must give applicant a copy of screening reportYes
Criminal-history questionsFair Criminal Record Screening for Housing Act: no inquiry into criminal history before a conditional offer; may not consider arrests, sealed records, or convictions older than 7 years; withdrawal of offer requires written notice with reasons and a copy of the record.Source: D.C. Code § 42-3541.01–.09
Source of income protectedYes — vouchers and other lawful income must be consideredSource: D.C. Code § 2-1402.21(a); § 2-1401.02(29)
Additional protected classesage, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence or business, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, genetic information, sealed eviction record, homeless status
Holding depositNo fee or deposit other than the application fee may be charged before lease signing (§ 42-3505.10(d))

Rules current as of 2026-09-07. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.

How to use this Rental Application in District of Columbia

Use one application per adult. Collect the Social Security number only on the signed paper copy, never by email. Apply the same written criteria to every applicant and keep denied applications for at least two years in case of a fair-housing inquiry.

Charge only a fee that District of Columbia permits, give a receipt, and if you deny based on a consumer report send the FCRA adverse-action notice within a few days.

Frequently asked questions

Can a landlord charge an application fee in District of Columbia?

Yes, up to $50.00 (D.C. Code § 42-3505.10(b) ($50, CPI-adjusted annually from 1/1/2024)).

What questions are illegal on a rental application?

You may not ask about race, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability, nor about arrests without conviction. District of Columbia adds: age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence or business, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, genetic information, sealed eviction record, homeless status. This form omits those questions automatically.

Do I have to give the applicant a copy of the screening report?

Yes — District of Columbia requires it on request or with a denial, in addition to the federal FCRA adverse-action notice.

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Other states

FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.