District of Columbia Security Deposit Statutes and Sources
This page collects the main D.C. legal sources behind the plain-English security deposit guide.
The main citation
The District of Columbia security deposit package relies on D.C. Code Section 42-3502.17 and the security deposit regulations commonly cited as 14 DCMR Sections 308-311.
The D.C. Code directly addresses ordinary wear and tear, good-repair clause limits, and OAH authority. The D.C. tenant guidance and regulation sources explain the one-month cap, escrow/interest rules, 45-day return-or-notice step, 30-day follow-up itemization step, inspection notice, and bad-faith remedy concepts.
Source map
- D.C. Code Section 42-3502.17: ordinary wear and tear, good-repair clause limits, and OAH authority for deposit and interest complaints.
- 14 DCMR Section 308: deposit cap, escrow/account handling, lease or receipt terms, posting/rate notices, and subsidized/agency-unit caution.
- 14 DCMR Section 309: 45-day return-or-notice rule, 30-day itemization/refund-balance follow-up, prima facie full-return leverage, and bad-faith treble-damages concept.
- 14 DCMR Section 310: move-out inspection timing and written inspection notice.
- 14 DCMR Section 311: interest on security deposit escrow accounts.
Plain-English structure
The security deposit is generally capped at one month's rent for ordinary covered D.C. private rentals. D.C. deposits are tied to interest-bearing escrow/account rules, and interest is part of the return framework.
The owner generally has 45 days after tenancy termination or vacancy to return the deposit with interest or send written notice of intent to withhold. If the owner gives withholding notice, the itemized statement and any remaining balance follow within 30 more days.
Ordinary wear and tear is not deductible. The D.C. statute defines it as deterioration from intended use, including age or deteriorated condition, and excludes negligence, carelessness, accident, or abuse.
Remedies and routing
Failure to follow the 45-day and 30-day repayment sequence can be prima facie evidence that the tenant is entitled to full return, including interest. Bad-faith refusal can support treble-damages exposure, but treble damages are not automatic.
OAH may matter for non-return and interest complaints. D.C. Small Claims may be a money-claim route for claims of $10,000 or less. Landlord and Tenant Branch and the Housing Conditions Calendar are related housing paths, but not the default route for every ordinary deposit refund money claim.
Program and subsidized housing caution
Federal or D.C. agency units, federally subsidized units, Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher, DCHA/public housing, HUD-assisted housing, and program-paid deposits can involve separate rules. This statewide D.C. page flags those overlays but does not expand them into unsupported program-specific claims.
Sources used for this guide
- D.C. Code Section 42-3502.17
- DCRegs Chapter 14-3 - Landlord and Tenant
- D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights
- D.C. Courts Small Claims information
- D.C. Courts Landlord and Tenant Branch information
- Security Deposit Regulations summary
Source reviewed: May 2026.
How to use this page
Start with the plain-English law page if you want the practical meaning first. Use this page when you need the source trail behind the timeline, interest, itemization, inspection, and wear-and-tear rules.
Important: This page provides general educational information and is not legal advice.