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Get your security deposit back in District of Columbia

Your landlord must act within 45 days after termination of the tenancy under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14, § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

45 days
to return or itemize
3×
potential damages on wrongful withholding
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
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What District of Columbia law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin 45 days after termination of the tenancy
StatuteD.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14, § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingBad-faith violations can make the landlord liable for treble the amount wrongfully withheld, and interest is owed on the deposit.
Worth knowingThe 45-day notification duty is in D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(e)(2)(A); return/itemization mechanics and interest are in 14 DCMR 308-311 — counsel to verify the current DCMR text and the treble-damages standard.

This is general legal information about D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14, § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17, not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.

What that can mean in dollars

Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld in full → exposure of up to $4,500.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14, § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

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How your District of Columbia letter works

1. Answer a few questions

Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.

2. We prepare the letter

A formal demand letter citing D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14, § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17, the 45-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.

3. We mail it certified

Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.

Start my letter — $29

District of Columbia deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in District of Columbia?
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14, § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17, the landlord generally must act within 45 days after termination of the tenancy. If the landlord keeps any portion, an itemized written statement of deductions is required. This is general legal information — the statute contains conditions and exceptions.
What happens if my landlord misses the District of Columbia deadline?
Bad-faith violations can make the landlord liable for treble the amount wrongfully withheld, and interest is owed on the deposit. A written demand letter that cites D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14, § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17 puts the landlord on notice that you know the deadline has passed and what the statute allows you to pursue.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in District of Columbia?
No. A demand letter is something any tenant can send on their own behalf. Our service prepares the letter from the facts you provide and the current text of D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14, § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17, and mails it by USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of delivery. If your dispute is complex or high-value, talking to a licensed District of Columbia attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.