A Washington, DC (District of Columbia) Lease Agreement is a binding document between a landlord and a tenant, written in accordance with DC’s landlord-tenant laws. The landlord agrees to rent all (or a portion of) their property to a tenant for a fee, and the tenant agrees to the lease agreement’s terms and conditions.
Other Washington DC Real Estate documents you might be interested in are:
- Sublease Agreement – Used by a tenant to rent out all or part of their rented property to a new tenant.
- Eviction Notice – Used by a landlord to start the eviction process with a current tenant.
1. What to Include in a Washington, DC Residential Lease Agreement
Landlords in all states, including Washington, DC, are required by Federal law to include essential details in their rental/lease agreements, specifically:
- Tenant/Landlord Details: names and current addresses of both the tenant and landlord
- Premises: the address of the premises
- Pets: allowances and prohibitions
- Health Hazards: any known health hazards or risks
- Rent Specifics: the amount of rent and security deposit due, payment methods, and more
States differ in aspects of leasing and rental requirements. Familiarize yourself with Washington, DC’s landlord-tenant laws to protect your legal and financial rights.
2. Washington, DC Landlord and Tenant Laws
Washington, DC imposes specific and distinct requirements for landlords and tenants when executing a lease or rental agreement.
Relevant Laws
- Code of the District of Columbia: Title 42, Chapters 32-36A
- District of Columbia Municipal Regulations: Title 14, Chapter 14-3
Security Deposit:
- A landlord can’t charge more than one month’s rent for a security deposit. (DCMR §14-308)
- A landlord must return a tenant’s security deposit within 45 days of the end of the lease. (DCMR §14-309)
Landlord Right of Entry:
- A landlord must provide a tenant 48 hours’ written notice to enter the property for the purpose of work or inspection. (DC Code §8–231.06)