30 daysNotice period30 days, on the form the Rental Housing Commission prescribe...
YesRent controlYes (Rental Housing Act of 1985)
At renewalFixed-term leasesno mid-term increase unless the lease allows it
StatuteDistrict of Columbia referenceD.C. Code § 42-3505.31
What applies to your District of Columbia tenancy?
Notice, timing and any cap depend on the kind of tenancy. The period on each card is District of Columbia's minimum — your lease can require more, never less.
30days
Month-to-month tenancy30 days, on the form the Rental Housing Commission prescribes; rent-stabilized units are capped at CPI + 2%. The increase starts on the first day of a rental period after the notice runs out.Sent in-app as a renewal offerAt renewal
Fixed-term leaseRent cannot change mid-term unless the lease has an escalation clause. Send the new rent with the renewal offer, before the term ends.Sent in-app as a renewal offerYes
Rent controlYes (Rental Housing Act of 1985). The cap sets the ceiling; the notice period still applies.See the District of Columbia rent-control pageAny
Timing that gets challengedAn increase soon after a repair request, complaint or protected activity reads as retaliation in most states. Document the business reason and apply it evenly across units.Reference wording
What a District of Columbia rent increase notice must contain
✓Every adult tenant's name and the unit addressName each person on the lease so the notice binds all of them.
✓Current rent, new rent, and the differenceState both amounts and the increase as a dollar figure; a percentage on its own invites a dispute over the math.
✓An effective date that starts a rental periodAfter the full 30 days has run, on the first of a period — an increase mid-period is unenforceable in most states.D.C. Code § 42-3505.31
✓Statement that all other lease terms continueUnless you are changing them too; then the notice is a change of terms and must list every change.
✓Notice date and delivery methodHand delivery or mail unless the lease agrees to electronic notices. Mailed notices add time in transit in most states.
✓Landlord signature and a copy on fileKeep the dated copy and the delivery record with the lease.auto-logged
How it works
1 · Open the lease and choose RenewSet the new rent and the effective date. District of Columbia's 30 days minimum is checked against the date you pick.
2 · The renewal offer goes to the tenantDated, itemized and logged — that is the written notice. The tenant accepts on their phone.
3 · Rent and autopay update on the dateThe ledger, autopay and the lease record switch to the new amount on the effective date; nothing to re-enter.
District of Columbia rent increase FAQ
How much notice does District of Columbia require to raise rent?
30 days, on the form the Rental Housing Commission prescribes; rent-stabilized units are capped at CPI + 2% (D.C. Code § 42-3505.31). A fixed-term lease cannot be raised mid-term unless the lease says so.
Is there a limit on how much I can raise rent in District of Columbia?
Yes (Rental Housing Act of 1985). See the District of Columbia rent-control page for the current cap and which units are covered.
When does the increase take effect?
On the first day of a rental period after the notice period has fully run. Serve it a few days early so mail transit does not push it into the next month.
Can I raise rent by email?
Only if the lease agrees to electronic notices. The in-app renewal offer is emailed and logged; print it for hand delivery where the lease requires paper.
What if the tenant refuses?
On a month-to-month tenancy the tenant can give their own notice (Just cause in District of Columbia) and leave; if they stay past the effective date, the new rent applies.
Raise the rent the District of Columbia way — notice, date and record in one step
Sent as a renewal offer from the lease; autopay follows on the effective date. Free.
Notice periods are District of Columbia's statutory minimums as of 2026, reviewed against D.C. Code, Title 42, Chapter 35 (Rental Housing Act of 1985). General information for landlords, not legal advice; cities with rent stabilization add their own rules.
