District of Columbia Rent Increase Laws for Landlords (2026)
What District of Columbia law requires
District of Columbia is one of the 20 US jurisdictions with a statute that speaks directly to raising rent. It requires 60 days' notice, in writing. Under D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b), as amended in 2023, an increase takes effect on the first day rent is normally paid that falls more than 60 calendar days after you give the tenant notice. The cap on the amount is set separately, in § 42-3502.08.
Citation: D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b) · read the source
How much can you raise it in District of Columbia?
In a rent-controlled unit the increase is capped at the Rental Housing Commission's annual CPI-W adjustment plus 2%, with a 10% ceiling. Elderly and disabled tenants are capped at the CPI-W adjustment alone, up to 5%. The adjustment for the year beginning May 1, 2025 was 2.8%, giving a 4.8% cap for most covered units.
Can you raise rent mid-lease in District of Columbia?
No. A fixed-term lease fixes the rent for the term. An increase takes effect at renewal, or on a month-to-month tenancy after proper notice. The exception is a lease that contains its own escalation clause agreed at signing.
Serving the notice so it holds up
Most rent increases that fall apart fall apart on the date, not the amount: the notice went out too late, or nobody can prove when it went out. Count the days from delivery, not from the day you wrote it, and keep the proof.
LandlordPro generates the notice against the state's rule, dates it, records when it was sent, and carries the new rent onto the rent roll on the right day so the ledger and the notice agree.
Generate the notice, keep the proof
Free for 2 properties and up to 4 units. No credit card.
Start freeKey statute for District of Columbia
Authority: D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b)
Statute text not quoted here yet — read it at the link above.
What this means: District of Columbia requires 60 days' notice before a rent increase takes effect, and it caps the increase itself.
Citation from our review of the chapter cited above (see "How we checked"); statute text not quoted here yet.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice does a landlord have to give to raise rent in District of Columbia?
60 days in writing. Under D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b), the increase takes effect on the first rent due date that falls more than 60 days after the tenant gets the notice.
Is there a limit on how much rent can be raised in District of Columbia?
In a rent-controlled unit the increase is capped at the Rental Housing Commission's annual CPI-W adjustment plus 2%, with a 10% ceiling. Elderly and disabled tenants are capped at the CPI-W adjustment alone, up to 5%. The adjustment for the year beginning May 1, 2025 was 2.8%, giving a 4.8% cap for most covered units.
Can rent be raised during a lease in District of Columbia?
No, unless the lease itself provides for it. A fixed-term lease fixes the rent for the term; an increase belongs at renewal or on a month-to-month tenancy after notice.
Does a District of Columbia rent increase notice have to be in writing?
Yes.
Do city rules change this in District of Columbia?
The District's rent stabilization rules (see the cap section above) are the local regulation here, and they change faster than the notice statute. Check with the municipality before serving notice on a large increase.
Related
Questions from District of Columbia landlords
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