District of Columbia Rent Increase Rules
At a glance
Notice before a rent increase
District of Columbia requires 60 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
The notice must be in writing and state the new rent amount and the effective date. Verbal notice alone is not sufficient. If your landlord raises rent without providing the required 60-day written notice, the increase is not legally effective and you may continue paying your current rent until proper notice is given and the notice period runs.
Limits on how much rent can increase
District of Columbia has a rent cap. Annual increases are limited to: CPI-W + 2%, max 10% for general increases; CPI-W only for elderly/disabled tenants (D.C. Code § 42-3502.08).
DC requires at least 60 days' written notice before a rent increase (D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b), as amended by the Fairness in Renting Clarification Amendment Act of 2023, D.C. Law 25-65, eff. Nov. 28, 2023 — applies to notices issued on or after Jan. 1, 2024). The Rental Housing Act of 1985 caps annual increases at CPI-W + 2% (max 10%) for most covered units — buildings built before 1975 and registered with DHCD. Elderly and disabled tenants face a lower cap of CPI-W only. DC has the strongest rent stabilization protections in the country.
Rent increases during a fixed-term lease
In District of Columbia — as in every U.S. state — a landlord cannot raise rent during a fixed-term lease (such as a 12-month lease) unless the lease itself contains a rent escalation clause allowing it. Your rent is locked in for the entire lease term. At renewal, the landlord may propose a new rent amount; you can accept, negotiate, or choose not to renew.
Retaliatory and discriminatory rent increases
Even where no cap exists, landlords in District of Columbia cannot raise rent in retaliation for a tenant exercising a legal right — such as complaining to a housing inspector, requesting repairs, or organizing with other tenants. Retaliatory rent increases violate state law and federal fair housing laws. Similarly, a landlord cannot target a rent increase based on race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or other protected classes.
Common questions about rent increases in District of Columbia
Can my District of Columbia landlord raise rent mid-lease?
No. Rent cannot be raised during a fixed-term lease unless the lease itself contains a rent escalation clause. The landlord can propose a new rent only when the lease renews or when you're month-to-month.
What happens if my District of Columbia landlord doesn't give proper notice?
If your landlord raises rent without giving 60 days' written notice, the increase is not legally effective. You can continue paying the old amount until proper notice is provided and the notice period expires.
Does District of Columbia have rent control?
Yes. District of Columbia has rent control or stabilization: CPI-W + 2%, max 10% for general increases; CPI-W only for elderly/disabled tenants (D.C. Code § 42-3502.08). Check with your local housing authority for details.
Is the rent increase notice required to be in writing in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia requires written notice of a rent increase. Verbal notice alone is not sufficient. The notice should state the new rent amount and the date it takes effect.