District of Columbia Residential Lease Agreement

A complete, state-specific lease for a house, apartment or condo with every disclosure your state requires.

Free to fill & preview · $19 for the clean PDF + Word

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District of Columbia rules that this document follows

Security deposit limit1 month' rentSource: 14 DCMR § 308.2
Deposit return deadline45 days after move-outSource: 14 DCMR § 309.1
Interest on depositRequired (see conditions)Source: 14 DCMR §§ 308.3, 311 (interest-bearing escrow; interest paid to tenant)
Late feesMax 5% of monthly rentSource: D.C. Code § 42-3505.31
Landlord entry notice48 hoursSource: D.C. Code § 42-3505.51
Notice to end month-to-monthLandlord: see statute / Tenant 30 daysSource: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01 (landlord may terminate only for statutory cause); tenant 30 days (D.C. Code § 42-3202)
Rent increase rulesRent-stabilized units: CPI-W + 2%, max 10% (elderly/disabled: CPI only, max 5%); exempt units no cap; 30 days' noticeSource: D.C. Code § 42-3502.08; § 42-3509.04
Required disclosuresLead-Based Paint (pre-1978); DC Lead Disclosure Form; Tenant Bill of Rights; Housing Provider Disclosures (RAD Form 3); Voter Registration Packet; Receipts for PaymentsSource: Rental Housing Act of 1985, D.C. Code Title 42, Chapter 35; 14 DCMR Chapter 3

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

How to use this Residential Lease Agreement in District of Columbia

A residential lease in District of Columbia should identify every adult tenant, describe the premises, state the term, the rent and how it is paid, the security deposit and how it will be returned, who pays which utilities, the rules on pets, smoking and subletting, and the disclosures District of Columbia law requires. This generator walks you through each of those items in order and drafts the clauses for you.

Before you start, gather: the legal names and mailing addresses of the landlord and all tenants, the property address, the move-in date, the rent amount and due day, the deposit amount and the bank where it will be held (some states require this), and whether the building was built before 1978 (federal lead-paint rule).

After you preview the document, download the PDF, have every adult tenant and the landlord sign (electronic signatures are valid), give each party a copy, and complete a move-in inspection checklist with photos. Keep the signed lease for at least four years after the tenancy ends.

Frequently asked questions

How much security deposit can a landlord charge in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia caps the security deposit at 1 month' rent (14 DCMR § 308.2). The generator warns you if you enter more.

When must the deposit be returned in District of Columbia?

Within 45 days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of deductions (14 DCMR § 309.1).

Does this lease include the disclosures District of Columbia requires?

Yes. Section 14 inserts every statutory disclosure for District of Columbia (6 items, including the federal lead-paint notice for pre-1978 buildings) with its citation.

Is this lease legally binding once signed?

A written lease signed by landlord and all adult tenants is an enforceable contract in District of Columbia. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act and the state UETA. No notarization is required for a residential lease.

Can I use this for a month-to-month rental?

Yes — choose 'Month-to-month' in the Term step. The notice period is set to District of Columbia's statutory minimum.

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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.