District of Columbia Room Rental Agreement

Rent out a room in your home or apartment: private room, shared areas, house rules, utilities split, deposit and notice terms that follow your state's law.

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

This preview updates as you type. Blank fields show as ____ .

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)

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

How to use this Room Rental Agreement in District of Columbia

Describe the room and the shared areas precisely, set utilities as a fixed charge to avoid monthly arguments, and put guest, quiet-hour and cleaning rules in writing. Give the renter a copy and a receipt for the deposit.

If you are a tenant subletting a room, confirm your lease allows it and get your landlord's written consent first.

Frequently asked questions

Do landlord-tenant laws apply when I rent a room in my own home in District of Columbia?

In most states yes, including deposit rules and eviction procedures, although some states exempt owner-occupied homes from certain rules (for example, parts of fair-housing law under the 'Mrs. Murphy' exemption). This agreement follows District of Columbia's general residential rules to be safe.

Can I remove a roommate without going to court?

No. Once a person is a paying occupant, self-help removal is illegal. Serve the District of Columbia notice and, if needed, file an eviction case.

Related documents

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.