The Washington security deposit demand letter that gets deposits back.
Your Washington 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, the statute is written on your side. We cite the statute, mail your demand USPS Certified, and track the response.
The law that protects your deposit
Deposits in Washington are governed by District of Columbia state law: D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14, § 309; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17. Bad-faith violations can make the landlord liable for treble the amount wrongfully withheld, and interest is owed on the deposit. Full District of Columbia deadline & penalty guide →
If the landlord ignores your letter
Deposit claims from Washington are typically filed in the small-claims court serving the District — designed for people without lawyers, with modest filing fees.
Washington at a glance
Population ~679,000 (U.S. Census 2024 estimate, rounded). Every deposit dispute here runs on the same clock: the 45-day statutory window — and a certified letter is the documented first step.
General legal information, not legal advice. City-specific ordinances change; verify current rules or consult a licensed District of Columbia attorney.