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Free template · District of Columbia · updated 2026

District of Columbia Residential Lease Agreement Template

A District of Columbia-compliant lease with every disclosure the state requires built in, not bolted on — 10 state-specific clauses plus 11 universal ones. Fill it in, e-sign it, and it lives with the tenant record.

Free forever · e-signature included · reviewed against D.C. Code, Title 42, Chapter 35 (Rental Housing Act of 1985)
One month’s rentSecurity deposit cap14 DCMR §§ 308, 309
45 daysDeposit returnafter move-out
≤5%Late fee rule5% of monthly rent
30 daysNotice for non-paymentD.C. Code § 42-3505.01

What a District of Columbia lease must include

Washington, D.C. is one of the few U.S. jurisdictions with long-standing rent control, and a landlord must give 30 days’ written notice of past-due rent before filing an eviction case (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01). Deposits are limited to one month’s rent and earn...

These are the clauses and disclosures our District of Columbia template carries. Each cites the statute it comes from; the ones marked checkbox are filled from your property's answers.

Security deposit limit noticeUnder D.C. Code §42-3502.17, the total security deposit may not exceed one (1) month's rent.The security deposit for thi...D.C. Code §42-3502.17 (Security deposit cap...
Security deposit return termsWithin forty-five (45) days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession, Landlord shall return the secur...D.C. Code §42-3502.17 (Return and itemizatio...
Repair & habitability noticePursuant to D.C. Code §42-3502.13, every residential lease in the District includes an implied warranty of habitability....D.C. Code §42-3502.13 (Implied warranty of h...
Mold disclosureMOLD DISCLOSURE: Pursuant to D.C. Code §8-241 et seq., Landlord discloses the following regarding mold contamination at...D.C. Code §8-241 et seq. (Air Quality Amendm...
Smoking policySMOKING POLICY: The District of Columbia does not impose a statewide smoking-policy disclosure on residential leases; ho...D.C. local ordinance — no statewide mandate...
Rad disclosureDC RENT STABILIZATION PROGRAM (RAD) DISCLOSURE: Pursuant to D.C. Code §42-3501.03, Landlord discloses the rent-control s...D.C. Code §42-3501.03 (Rental Housing Act /...
Voter registration noticeVOTER REGISTRATION NOTICE: Pursuant to D.C. Code §1-1001.05, Tenant is hereby notified that, upon establishing residence...D.C. Code §1-1001.05 (Tenant move-in voter r...
Tenant bill of rightsDC TENANT BILL OF RIGHTS — MANDATORY ANNUAL DISCLOSUREPursuant to D.C. Code §42-3502, Landlord must attach the current D...D.C. Code §42-3502 (Mandatory annual Tenant...
Business basic licenseBASIC BUSINESS LICENSE (BBL) DISCLOSURE: Pursuant to D.C. Code §47-2851.03, every landlord renting residential housing i...D.C. Code §47-2851.03 (Basic Business Licens...
Source of income noticeSOURCE OF INCOME ANTI-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE: Under the D.C. Human Rights Act (D.C. Code §2-1401.01 et seq.), it is unlaw...D.C. Human Rights Act (D.C. Code §2-1401.01...
Universal clauses (11)Lead-based paint (pre-1978), pets, utilities, entry, subletting, holdover, notices, signatures — the parts every state shares.

How it works

1 · Answer eight questionsProperty, unit, tenant, rent, deposit, term, pets, utilities. The District of Columbia checkboxes come from your property record.
2 · Review the leaseEvery District of Columbia clause is in place with its statute. Edit any paragraph; required disclosures can't be removed by accident.
3 · E-sign & collect rentTenant signs on their phone. The signed PDF, autopay and the move-in checklist attach to the tenant automatically.

District of Columbia lease FAQ

Does District of Columbia cap security deposits?

Yes — the cap is one month’s rent, and it must be returned within 45 days (14 DCMR §§ 308, 309). The template states both in the deposit clause.

What late fee can a District of Columbia landlord charge?

5% of monthly rent See D.C. Code § 42-3505.31. The template carries the rule and the grace period you set.

Is a lead-paint disclosure required?

For any building built before 1978, yes — it is federal (42 U.S.C. § 4852d). The template includes the EPA pamphlet acknowledgment automatically.

Is this lease legally binding once e-signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal E-SIGN Act and District of Columbia's UETA; the signed PDF, audit trail and timestamps are stored with the tenant record.

Can I edit the template?

Every paragraph is editable before signing. Clauses District of Columbia requires are marked and cannot be removed by accident.

Generate your District of Columbia lease in about ten minutes

Free, e-signature included, every District of Columbia disclosure already in it.

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The clause list mirrors the District of Columbia disclosure set in the My Rental Spot lease builder and is reviewed against D.C. Code, Title 42, Chapter 35 (Rental Housing Act of 1985). General information for landlords, not legal advice; local ordinances can add requirements.