Lease Renewal Notice for Washington D.C. landlords

When you need a lease renewal notice.

• 01Keeping good tenants
• 02Updating lease terms
• 03Raising rent with renewal
• 04Extending lease period

What landlords ask about this in Washington D.C..

When should I send a renewal notice?

Far enough ahead that the tenant can decide and you can re-let if they decline, commonly 60 to 90 days before the term ends. If the renewal also raises rent, Washington D.C.'s 30-day rent increase notice period applies on top.

Can I change lease terms on renewal?

Yes. A renewal is a new agreement, so you can change terms including rent, subject to notice requirements and any rent control. Present the changes plainly rather than burying them, because a term the tenant did not notice is a term you will end up arguing about.

What if the tenant doesn’t respond?

That depends on the lease. Many convert automatically to month-to-month at the end of the term, which in Washington D.C. means either side can then end it with 30 days of notice. Check the holdover clause before you assume.

Should I increase rent on renewal?

That is a business decision, not a legal one. Weigh the increase against vacancy cost, turnover work, and the value of a tenant who pays on time. If you do raise it, Washington D.C. requires 30 days of notice.

This is general information about Washington D.C. landlord-tenant law, not legal advice. Local ordinances can be stricter than the state rule, and if a dispute is already underway it is worth an hour of a lawyer’s time.