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Free letter · District of Columbia · updated 2026

District of Columbia Security Deposit Return Letter (Itemized Statement)

The itemized statement District of Columbia requires when you keep any part of a deposit — due within 45 days under 14 DCMR §§ 308, 309 — generated from the deposit settlement in your ledger, with every deduction, the refund, the interest and the statute already in it.

Free forever · emailed with a delivery record · reviewed against D.C. Code, Title 42, Chapter 35 (Rental Housing Act of 1985)
45 daysReturn deadline45 days
1 month’s rentMaximum depositOne month’s rent
YesInterest owedYes, at the passbook savings rate
RequiredItemized statementRequired

What applies to your District of Columbia move-out?

Pick the situation; the rule on each card is District of Columbia's statutory minimum — your lease can be more generous to the tenant, never less.

45days
Deductions takenSend the itemized list and the balance within 45 days. Normal wear and tear is never deductible; unpaid rent, damage beyond wear, and charges the lease allows are.Generated in-app from the settlement
45days
Full refundNo deductions to list, but the refund itself is still due within the same period. The statement is your proof of the date.Generated in-app from the settlement
Still due
No forwarding addressDistrict of Columbia does not pause the clock for a missing address: send to the last known address and keep proof of the attempt.Reference
Yes
Interest on the depositYes, at the passbook savings rate. The statement shows the interest as its own line.Added to the statement automatically

What a District of Columbia deposit statement must contain

Tenant name(s) and the rental addressPlus the date the tenant surrendered the premises — that is when the 45 days start.
The deposit held, including pet depositsThe full amount received at move-in, and the interest accrued on it, so the math adds up from the tenant's side.
Each deduction, described and priced"Damage" is not enough; "carpet replacement, bedroom 2, tenant-caused stain — $240" is. Attach receipts or estimates.14 DCMR §§ 308, 309
The balance refunded (or owed)If deductions exceed the deposit, the statement doubles as the demand for the difference.
Sent to the forwarding address, on timeMail it to the address the tenant gave; keep the date and the method. 45 days.
Landlord signature and dateAnd a copy on file with the lease — the court asks for it if the tenant sues.auto-logged

How it works

1 · Settle the depositAccounting → Deposit Disposition → Settle. Deposit held is pulled from the lease; add each deduction with a description and amount.
2 · Review the statementThe District of Columbia deadline, the statute, the interest line and the deduction list are filled in. Add the forwarding address and receipts.
3 · Send and keep the recordEmailed to the tenant and downloadable for mailing; date, method and the PDF are logged with the tenant — the ledger posts the refund at the same time.

District of Columbia deposit return FAQ

How long does a District of Columbia landlord have to return a security deposit?

45 days (14 DCMR §§ 308, 309).

What can I deduct from the deposit in District of Columbia?

Unpaid rent and charges the lease allows, and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Not routine cleaning, repainting, or carpet wear from ordinary use. Each deduction must be itemized.

Is there a limit on the deposit in District of Columbia?

Yes: One month’s rent.

Do I owe interest on the deposit?

Yes, at the passbook savings rate.

What if the deductions are more than the deposit?

The statement shows the balance owed and the tenant is liable for it. The in-app settlement posts the difference to accounts receivable so it is not forgotten.

Settle the deposit and send the District of Columbia statement in one step

Deductions, refund, deadline and the statute filled in from your ledger. Free.

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Deadlines and rules 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; local ordinances can add requirements.