Washington, DC rent increase calculator
The District of Columbia caps annual increases in rent-controlled units at the change in the CPI-W plus 2%, never more than 10%. Elderly tenants (62+) and tenants with disabilities get a lower cap of CPI-W alone, never more than 5%. The figures run from 1 May to 30 April; for 2026–2027 they are 4.1% and 2.1%.
Published figures
| Period | Type | Allowable increase |
|---|---|---|
| May 2026 – Apr 2027 | Standard tenant | 4.1% |
| May 2026 – Apr 2027 | Elderly or disabled tenant | 2.1% |
Source: DC Rental Housing Commission / Office of the Tenant Advocate. Published each spring; effective 1 May.
Maximum new rent at common rents
Using the current 4.1% figure.
| Current rent | Maximum increase | Maximum new rent |
|---|---|---|
| $1,200.00 | $49.20 | $1,249.20 |
| $1,800.00 | $73.80 | $1,873.80 |
| $2,500.00 | $102.50 | $2,602.50 |
| $3,500.00 | $143.50 | $3,643.50 |
How the Washington, DC cap works
Rent control covers most pre-1976 buildings owned by landlords with five or more units in the District. Landlords may impose one increase per 12 months with 30 days’ notice, and larger increases are possible only through petitions (hardship, capital improvement, voluntary agreement) or a vacancy.
Exemptions
- Applies to rent-controlled units: buildings built before 1976 owned by landlords with five or more rental units in DC, unless exempt.
- Buildings built after 1975, landlords with four or fewer units, and subsidised housing are exempt (but must register the exemption).
30 days’ written notice on the approved form, at most one increase per 12 months.
Related District of Columbia rules
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy: Landlord cannot terminate a residential month-to-month tenancy without one of the statutory grounds in D.C. Code § 42-3505.01 (no no-fault termination); a tenant may end a residential tenancy with a 30-day written notice to quit that expires on the first day of a month at least 30 days after the notice (§ 42-3202(b)). Nonpayment: at least 10 days' written notice before filing (cut from 30 days by the RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025, D.C. Law 26-80); no eviction may be filed if the unpaid rent is under $600. Other lease violations: 30 days to cure.
- Late fees: Late fee may not exceed 5% of the full amount of rent due, and may be charged only if rent is unpaid more than 5 days after the due date (or any longer grace period in the lease). Only one fee per late payment, no interest on late fees, the lease must disclose the maximum fee, no fee on the portion of rent paid by a subsidy, and unpaid late fees cannot be grounds for eviction.
- Security deposit: 1 month's rent (may not exceed the first full month's rent charged to the tenant, and may be charged only once); returned 45 days after termination of the tenancy to return the deposit with accrued interest, or to give written notice of intent to withhold; an itemized statement and any balance must follow within 30 days of that notice.
Full page: District of Columbia landlord and tenant rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DC rent control increase for 2026–2027?
4.1% for most tenants and 2.1% for elderly or disabled tenants, effective 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027.
Is my DC apartment rent-controlled?
If the building was built before 1976 and the owner has five or more rental units in DC, probably yes, unless the owner has filed an exemption. Check the registration with the Rental Accommodations Division.