District of Columbia landlords have 45 days to return your security deposit. Learn what happens if they miss the deadline and how to recover what you're owed.
Analyze My District of Columbia Claim (Free)Law verified March 1, 2026
Find out if your District of Columbia landlord may owe you. free, 2 minutes
Check My DepositUnder D.C. Code §42-3502.17, your District of Columbia landlord has 45 days to return your security deposit from the date you move out. This deadline applies regardless of whether your landlord believes deductions are owed. If they want to make deductions, they must still respond within this window with an itemized written statement.
The 45-day clock starts on your move-out date.
Deadline
Under D.C. Code §42-3502.17, your District of Columbia landlord has 45 days to return your security deposit from the date you move out. This deadline applies regardless of whether your landlord believes deductions are owed. If they want to make deductions, they must still respond within this window with an itemized written statement.
The 45-day clock starts on your move-out date.
Under D.C. Code §42-3502.17(c), a landlord who misses the 45-day deadline forfeits the right to any deductions. Even legitimate charges become uncollectable once the deadline passes.
The statute of limitations to file a claim in District of Columbia is 3 years from the date of the violation. Do not delay. Document everything and act promptly.
Questions
Your District of Columbia landlord has 45 days after your move-out date to return your security deposit along with an itemized statement of any deductions. This deadline is set by D.C. Code §42-3502.17.
If your landlord misses the 45-day deadline, they forfeit the right to withhold any portion of your deposit under D.C. Code §42-3502.17(c), even deductions that might otherwise have been valid.
No. District of Columbia law under D.C. Code §42-3502.17 explicitly prohibits landlords from deducting for normal wear and tear. This includes faded paint, minor scuffs, small nail holes, and carpet thinning from regular use. Deductions must be for actual damage beyond what normal living causes.
The 45-day clock starts on your move-out date under D.C. Code §42-3502.17. Your landlord must return the full deposit or a partial amount with an itemized statement within this window.
The 45-day deadline under D.C. Code §42-3502.17 is generally calculated as calendar days, including weekends and holidays. If the final day falls on a weekend or court holiday, some courts may extend to the next business day, but it is safest to treat the deadline as calendar days.
More District of Columbia Topics
Free analysis | District of Columbia law | 2 minutes
Check My District of Columbia Deposit (Free)