How much a landlord can charge as a late fee in Washington, D.C., whether there's a required grace period, and the rule that controls — verified July 2026.
Capped at 5% of the full monthly rent due. No interest, no deducting from later rent, only one fee per late payment, and no eviction for unpaid late fees.
5 days (or any longer grace period in the lease). Read D.C. Code § 42-3505.31 (Late Fee Fairness Amendment Act) for the exact conditions.
Use our free late fee calculator to work out the charge from your lease terms, or compare every state in the late fee laws by state directory.
Yes, if the written lease provides for it. Washington, D.C. limits the amount: Capped at 5% of the full monthly rent due.. No interest, no deducting from later rent, only one fee per late payment, and no eviction for unpaid late fees. Verified July 2026 against D.C. Code § 42-3505.31 (Late Fee Fairness Amendment Act) — confirm with the current statute or an attorney.
Capped at 5% of the full monthly rent due.
5 days (or any longer grace period in the lease).
D.C. Code § 42-3505.31 (Late Fee Fairness Amendment Act). The source is published at https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/42-3505.31.
No. This is a best-effort summary compiled from a cited source and verified July 2026. Late-fee rules change and some cities add stricter local caps a summary can't capture. Confirm with the current statute or a licensed attorney before relying on it.
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