Security Deposit Demand Letter — District of Columbia (2026)
In DC, a landlord has 45 days to return your security deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions (14 DCMR § 308–309).
Below: the rule with its citation, a free sample letter you can copy, and a generator that fills in your dates and computes your deadline for $19.
- to return the deposit or itemize deductions
- 45 daysto return the deposit or itemize deductions
- damages available for bad-faith retention
- 3×damages available for bad-faith retention
- One month's rent.
- CapOne month's rent.
14 DCMR § 308–309
Free sample letter
All samplesUse it as-is, or let the generator write it with your amounts and the 14 DCMR § 308–309 deadline already computed.
[Your name]
[Your current address]
[Date]
[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]
Re: Demand for return of security deposit — [rental address]
Dear [Landlord name],
I vacated [rental address] on [move-out date] and provided a forwarding address. To date I have received neither my security deposit of [$amount] nor an itemized statement of deductions.
14 DCMR § 308–309 requires a landlord in District of Columbia to deliver the deposit, or an itemized statement of deductions, within 45 calendar days after the tenancy ends. That period expired on [deadline date].
I request payment of [$amount] within 14 days of the date of this letter, sent to the address above.
If I do not receive it, I intend to file in small claims court. Up to treble the amount wrongfully withheld for bad faith.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
District of Columbia questions
In DC, a landlord has 45 days to return your security deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions (14 DCMR § 308–309).
Yes. They are calendar days, not business days, and they run from the date the tenancy ended.
Up to treble the amount wrongfully withheld for bad faith. A dated demand letter sent by certified mail is the evidence a court will expect to see that you asked first.
One month's rent.
It isn't required, but judges expect it. A dated letter with a certified-mail receipt is the cleanest evidence that you gave the other side a chance to resolve it.
Rule set last curated 2026-08-01. Self-help document service. Not a law firm, and not legal advice. We do not review your letter or represent you. These state rules are under legal review — verify anything you rely on against the current statute.