DisputeKit / States / District of Columbia
Your consumer rights in District of Columbia
What District of Columbia and federal law say about getting a security deposit back, refunds and cancelling subscriptions, with the law cited and a sample letter for each.
Security deposits
45 days. Under D.C. Municipal Regulations, Title 14, § 309 (Repayment of security deposits), a landlord must return the security deposit with any interest due, or notify the tenant in writing of the intention to withhold part of it within 45 days. The 45 days run from the end of the tenancy, which may differ from your move-out date. A court may also award the amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld, or treble damages if the landlord acted in bad faith.
Refunds
If a company won't refund you, send a written demand with a clear deadline. If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
Subscriptions
District of Columbia has its own automatic-renewal law for subscriptions, on top of the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act.
Small claims and complaints in District of Columbia
- District of Columbia consumer law
- D.C. Code § 28-3904 (Consumer Protection Procedures Act)
- Where to file a complaint
- Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Consumer Complaint
- Filing fee
- $5 for claims up to $500, $10 up to $2,500, and $45 up to $10,000