A standard lease built for Washington D.C.

See why thousands of your neighbors in Washington D.C. have created leases on Avail, starting with our standard Washington D.C. lease template. Draft online and have your tenants sign digitally. All for free. No more faxing, emailing, or wasted time.

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We've got you covered on all Washington D.C. laws and ordinances with our standard Washington D.C. lease template.

Lease clauses, rules, and disclosures will be unique to Washington D.C. to ensure you're protected.

See which clauses, rules, and disclosures are specific to Washington D.C. in your lease. We want you to know what your local laws are, and by using Avail, you'll have everything you need to follow them.

  • In Washington D.C., you must give the Lessee a receipt after they pay rent.
  • In Washington D.C., you may only increase the cost of rent once a year in line with the Consumer Price Index. However, the increase cannot exceed the previous cost of rent by 10%.
  • In Washington D.C., late fees cannot exceed five percent of the cost of one month's rent. You cannot charge the tenant a late fee until 5 days after rent is due.
  • In Washington D.C., you must return the security deposit within 45 days after the Lessee moves out of the Premises. The deposit cannot exceed the cost of 1 month's rent.
  • In Washington D.C., you cannot commingle the security deposit with your other funds. You must deposit the security deposit in a separate interest-bearing account in Washington D.C.
Did you know: In Washington D.C., you must return the security deposit within 45 days after the Lessee moves out of the Premises. The deposit cannot exceed the cost of 1 month's rent.
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Late Charges

Rent received by the Lessor later than the fifth (5th) day after the due date, as specified in Paragraph 1 above, will incur a late charge. The late charge shall be equal to five percent (5%) of the cost of one month’s rent as specified in this Lease. If the Lessee mails rent to the Lessor, the late charge will apply if the rent is received later than the fifth (5th) day of the month, regardless of the date the Lessee mailed such rent payment. If a payment of rent is made by personal check which is later dishonored by the Lessee's bank, the Lessee shall be assessed any bank charges incurred by the Lessor because of the dishonored check, in addition to the rent and late charge due on the payment of rent. The Lessor, at the Lessor's sole discretion, may waive the late charges.

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Washington D.C. Residential Lease Template

Washington D.C. Ordinance Guide

Read our full Washington D.C. landlord-tenant ordinance and state guide to learn more about applicable laws and ordinances. Our lease templates are based on the information gathered in these guides.

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