Does Washington DC require a grace period for late fees?

Yes, Washington DC law requires a 5-day grace period (D.C. Code § 42-3505.31). No late fee can be charged during this period.

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Washington DC Late Fee Calculator

Q: What is the maximum late fee in Washington DC?

The statutory maximum late fee in Washington DC is $75.00 on a rent of $1,500.00 — 5% of the monthly rent (D.C. Code § 42-3505.31). 5-day grace period. Max 5% of the full amount of rent due. One fee per late payment; no interest on the fee; no eviction for unpaid late fees.

Calculate the maximum late fee you can legally charge in Washington DC. Check grace periods, fee caps, and compliance with Washington DC state law.

State

Monthly Rent

Days Late

Your Proposed Fee

Your Late Fee

$75.00

Compliant

Your proposed fee of $75.00 is within Washington DC's statutory maximum of $75.00 (5% of the monthly rent).

Rent + Fee

$1,575.00

Grace Period

5 days (required)

Statutory Maximum in Washington DC

$75.00

Washington DC Late Fee Law

Grace period: 5 days (required by law)

Fee cap: $75.00 — 5% of the monthly rent

Daily fees: Not typical

Statute: D.C. Code § 42-3505.31

5-day grace period. Max 5% of the full amount of rent due. One fee per late payment; no interest on the fee; no eviction for unpaid late fees.

Laws change quietly. Colorado rewrote its late-fee rules in 2021, Connecticut in 2023. Get an email when Washington DC changes its rules — and what to update in your lease.

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Next Step

Generate the late fee notice

Turn this calculation into a printable, Washington DC-compliant notice you can send to your tenant today — with the statute reference included.

Your Name (Landlord)

Tenant Name

Property Address

Rent Due Date

Fill in the four fields above to generate your notice.

Get your state’s late fee rules + a compliant notice template

Grace periods, fee caps, and what makes a late fee unenforceable. Plus early access to Tenby.

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Washington DC Late Fee Rules for Landlords

Washington DC requires a 5-day grace period before any late fee can be charged (D.C. Code § 42-3505.31). The late fee is capped by statute at 5% of the monthly rent (D.C. Code § 42-3505.31).

Use the calculator above to check if your proposed late fee complies with Washington DC law. Need more tools? Check the Washington DC security deposit calculator, or try our prorated rent calculator and rent estimate tool.

For a complete guide to Washington DC landlord-tenant law, read our Washington DC Landlord-Tenant Law 2026 guide.