Rent Increase Notice Laws in the District of Columbia
In the District of Columbia, a rent increase takes effect only on the first rent day more than 60 calendar days after notice, and rent-stabilized units are capped at inflation plus 2%, up to 10%.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
District of Columbia at a glance
- Notice for month-to-month increase
- 60 days
- The increase starts on the first regular rent due date that falls more than 60 calendar days after notice is given.
- Longer notice rule
- No; 60 days for any increase
- Statewide rent increase cap
- Yes: rent-stabilized units only
- For occupied rent-stabilized units, the increase may not exceed the yearly CPI-W adjustment plus 2 percent, and never more than 10 percent. Elderly and disabled tenants have lower limits.
The rules in the District of Columbia
How much notice must a landlord give before raising rent on a month-to-month tenancy in the District of Columbia?
Notice for month-to-month increase in the District of Columbia: 60 days. The increase starts on the first regular rent due date that falls more than 60 calendar days after notice is given.
Does District of Columbia require longer notice for large rent increases or long tenancies?
Longer notice rule in the District of Columbia: No; 60 days for any increase.
Does District of Columbia limit how much a landlord can raise the rent?
Yes: rent-stabilized units only. Statewide rent increase cap in the District of Columbia: yes: rent-stabilized units only. For occupied rent-stabilized units, the increase may not exceed the yearly CPI-W adjustment plus 2 percent, and never more than 10 percent. Elderly and disabled tenants have lower limits.
Where do the the District of Columbia rent increase notice laws come from?
The rules above come from D.C. Code 42-3509.04, D.C. Code 42-3502.08 and D.C. Code 42-3502.06. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.
Good to know
The 60-day rule in D.C. Code 42-3509.04(b) was set by D.C. Law 25-65, effective November 28, 2023.
Temporary acts from 2023 to 2025 changed the stabilized rent formula; check the current yearly figure with the Rental Housing Commission.
What this means in practice
Put the rent increase in writing, state the new amount and the date it takes effect, and keep a copy along with proof of how and when it was delivered. Count the notice period from the date the tenant actually receives the notice, and check whether your state adds extra days for mailed notices.
Check local law as well as state law. Some cities and counties have rent stabilization ordinances, registration rules, or longer notice periods, and subsidized or rent-regulated units often follow separate federal or program rules.
A rent increase cannot be used to retaliate against a tenant for making a repair request or complaint, or to discriminate against a protected group. If the timing of an increase could look retaliatory, document the business reason for it.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
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