District of Columbia Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $10,000 (Superior Court of D.C. Small Claims and Conciliation Branch only). Court: Superior Court of the District of Columbia (Small Claims and Conciliation Branch); Office of Administrative Hearings also adjudicates deposit/interest complaints under § 42-3502.17(b). Limitation period listed in our state data: 3 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 1/1 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 45 days.
County court coverage and fees
1 listed counties · E-filing: Yes 1, No 0, Not verified 0
Deposit return deadlines
- 45 calendar days after the termination of the tenancy. either return full deposit plus any interest due, or give personal/certified-mail written notice of intent to withhold.
- 30 calendar days after the owner's written notification of intent to withhold. when landlord elects to withhold; refund of balance plus interest not used, with itemized statement of uses and costs.
From a letter to court
- Send a District of Columbia security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 45 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in District of Columbia: 3 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
How to file
Forms: Court forms and filing information
File online: Yes
Statewide filing fee: Statement of Claim for action up to $500.00 $5.00; from $500.01 up to $2,500.00 $10.00; from $2,500.01 up to $10,000.00 $45.00.
How papers are served:
- certified mail by clerk
Service fee: Service – Certified Mail $9.29; Certified Mail with Restricted Delivery $13.09; Registered Mail $18.94.
Attorneys allowed: Yes
Appeal window: 3 days
Statement of Claim for action up to $500.00 $5.00 Statement of Claim for action from $500.01 up to $2,500.00 $10.00 Statement of Claim for action from $2,500.01 up to $10,000.00 $45.00
Free District of Columbia template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under District of Columbia law (D.C. Code § 42-3502.17), a landlord must return the deposit or respond in writing within [45 calendar days / 30 calendar days, see the note above] after [the event listed in the note above].
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $10,000 (Superior Court of D.C. Small Claims and Conciliation Branch only) |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court of the District of Columbia (Small Claims and Conciliation Branch); Office of Administrative Hearings also adjudicates deposit/interest complaints under § 42-3502.17(b) |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 3 years |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
What you can recover
failure to comply with 14 DCMR § 309.1 and § 309.2 is prima facie evidence tenant is entitled to full return including interest; housing provider liable for the amount of deposit withheld, or in the event of bad faith for treble that amount; for interest violations under § 311, liable for interest owed or treble interest if bad faith, and willful interest nonpayment may draw civil fine up to $5,000 per violation. Bad faith required: No.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | Superior Court of the District of Columbia - Small Claims and Conciliation Branch, Washington | $10,000 | County filing fee: $5 for claims up to $500; $10 over $500 through $2,500; $45 over $2,500 through $10,000, excluding service fees. | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
Detailed guides for 1 counties
Statute says
Any housing provider violating the provisions of this section by failing to return a security deposit rightfully owed to a tenant in accordance with the requirements of this section shall be liable for the amount of the deposit withheld or, in the event of bad faith, for treble damages. ... bad faith means any frivolous or unfounded refusal to return a security deposit, as required by law, that is motivated by a fraudulent, deceptive, misleading, dishonest, or unreasonably self-serving purpose and not by simple negligence, bad judgment, or an honest belief in the course of action taken.
What this means
Tenant resources
- Legal Aid DClegal aid
- D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocatetenant union
- Bread for the City - Legal Cliniclegal aid
- D.C. Courts - Landlord and Tenant Branchcourt self help
- Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Networkhotline, 202-780-2575
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in District of Columbia?
$10,000 (Superior Court of D.C. Small Claims and Conciliation Branch only)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 3 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
failure to comply with 14 DCMR § 309.1 and § 309.2 is prima facie evidence tenant is entitled to full return including interest; housing provider liable for the amount of deposit withheld, or in the event of bad faith for treble that amount; for interest violations under § 311, liable for interest owed or treble interest if bad faith, and willful interest nonpayment may draw civil fine up to $5,000 per violation. Bad faith required: No.
Which court handles the claim?
Superior Court of the District of Columbia (Small Claims and Conciliation Branch); Office of Administrative Hearings also adjudicates deposit/interest complaints under § 42-3502.17(b)
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit return deadline: 45 calendar days after the termination of the tenancy. either return full deposit plus any interest due, or give personal/certified-mail written notice of intent to withhold. Typical response window after a demand letter: 45 days.