Important: Homzora is a housing research publisher, not a law firm, and nothing on this page is legal advice. This article is general information about the law as published by government and court sources at the time of writing, and it may not reflect later changes or the facts of your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney and client relationship. For advice about your situation, contact a licensed attorney or a legal aid organization in your state.
In the District of Columbia, about 189,800 of 324,500 occupied homes, or 58.5 percent, are rented, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey (Homzora Washington, D.C. dataset, Table B25003). The median gross rent is $1,954 a month (Homzora Washington, D.C. dataset, Table B25064). Every one of those households went through an application, and the rules on fees and screening decide what you pay up front and how a landlord can judge you.
This guide explains application fees and tenant screening in Washington, D.C. under District of Columbia law and any local rules: what a landlord can charge, what it must tell you, how criminal history, credit, eviction records, and vouchers can be used, and what to do if you are denied.
Quick answers
- Fee cap: $54 in 2026 (D.C. Attorney General consumer alert (April 2026)).
- Refund: if no screening is done, within 14 days (D.C. Code § 42-3505.10).
- Criminal history: only after a conditional offer, limited to listed offenses in the past 7 years (D.C. Code § 42-3541.02).
- Vouchers: source of income is protected (D.C. Office of Human Rights, Source of income notice (2025)).
Income requirements at local rents
Income requirements are one of the most common screening criteria. As an illustration only, a landlord requiring income of three times the rent would expect about $5,862 a month, or $70,344 a year, at the median gross rent of $1,954. Requirements vary by landlord and some laws limit them, so ask for the exact standard in writing.
Application fees
District law caps the application fee at $50, adjusted annually for inflation, and requires a refund within 14 days if no screening is done. One fee covers multiple units from the same provider within 30 days unless more than one screening is needed (D.C. Code § 42-3505.10). The Attorney General said in April 2026 that the current cap is $54, that no other payment can be required before signing a lease, and that any fee or deposit must be disclosed along with whether it is refundable (D.C. Attorney General consumer alert (April 2026)).
Screening disclosures
Before collecting information or fees, a landlord must tell you in writing the criteria that will result in automatic denial and other criteria that may lead to denial. After a denial, it must give a written notice stating the specific grounds, with a free copy or summary of the information used and your rights to dispute it and file a complaint. The code notes that some parts of this section have not taken effect because they have not been funded, so confirm current requirements (D.C. Code § 42-3505.10).
Eviction records
A landlord may not rely on a past eviction case that did not end in a judgment for possession for the landlord, or that was filed three or more years ago (D.C. Code § 42-3505.10). Many eviction records are sealed automatically, and a landlord may not knowingly use a sealed record to deny an application (D.C. Code § 42-3505.09).
Criminal history
Under the Fair Criminal Record Screening for Housing Act, a landlord may not ask about convictions until after making a conditional offer, may never consider arrests that did not lead to conviction, and may then consider only listed offenses within the past seven years. You can request the information relied on within 20 days, and the landlord must provide it free within 10 days. Owner occupied buildings with three or fewer rental units are exempt (D.C. Code § 42-3541.02).
Vouchers
The D.C. Human Rights Act prohibits source of income discrimination in housing, including vouchers (D.C. Office of Human Rights, Source of income notice (2025)), and subsidy holders must be treated like other applicants without extra fees (D.C. Attorney General consumer alert (April 2026)).
Your federal rights if you are denied
Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, a landlord that denies you, requires a cosigner, or charges a larger deposit or higher rent based even partly on a consumer report must give you an adverse action notice. It must name the screening company, say that the company did not make the decision, and explain your right to dispute the report and to get a free copy if you ask within 60 days (FTC, Using Consumer Reports: What Landlords Need to Know). The CFPB adds that a screening company generally has 30 days to investigate a dispute, and sometimes 45 (CFPB, If your rental application is denied because of a screening report).
At the federal level, HUD withdrew its 2016 guidance on how the Fair Housing Act applies to the use of criminal records, effective September 25, 2025 (Federal Register, HUD withdrawal of 2016 criminal records guidance (July 17, 2026)). State and local rules described in this guide still apply where they exist.
Where to get help in Washington, D.C.
The D.C. Office of Human Rights handles housing discrimination complaints (D.C. Office of Human Rights, Source of income notice (2025)). For other assistance, call 211 (211.org).
Fair housing
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in rental terms because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability (42 U.S.C. § 3604). HUD accepts complaints (HUD, File a Complaint).
Before you pay an application fee
- Ask for the landlord’s screening criteria in writing.
- Ask exactly what the fee covers and whether any part is refundable.
- Ask how many applications are already pending for the unit.
- Ask how long a decision will take and how you will be notified.
- Ask whether the landlord accepts a reusable screening report you already have.
Documents to have ready
- Photo identification for every adult applicant.
- Recent pay stubs or an offer letter, and benefit award letters.
- Bank statements if you are self employed or have irregular income.
- Contact information for current and past landlords.
- Voucher paperwork if you use housing assistance.
- A guarantor’s information and documents if one is needed.
Check your own records first
Before applying, review your credit reports from each of the three national credit bureaus and look for errors, old debts you have paid, or accounts you do not recognize. If you have had an eviction case or a criminal record, find out whether it was sealed or dismissed, since many places limit what landlords can use. Fixing errors before you apply is far easier than disputing them after a denial.
If you have limited or poor credit
- Offer a larger share of rent from savings or proof of steady income.
- Ask whether a cosigner or guarantor is accepted.
- Provide references from past landlords showing on time payments.
- Write a short letter explaining a past problem and how it was resolved.
- Ask whether the landlord will consider alternative evidence of ability to pay.
Red flags during the application
Be cautious if someone asks for a fee before you can see the unit, asks you to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, refuses to give screening criteria, or pressures you to decide immediately. Legitimate landlords usually explain their criteria, accept traceable payment methods, and let you tour the home or a verified video tour before you pay.
If you are denied
- Ask for the reasons in writing if you did not receive them.
- Request the free copy of any screening report used.
- Dispute any errors with the screening company in writing.
- Keep copies of every letter, email, and receipt.
- Contact a fair housing organization or legal aid office if you believe the denial was discriminatory.
Frequently asked questions
What is the application fee cap in D.C.?
$54 in 2026 (D.C. Attorney General consumer alert (April 2026)).
When can a D.C. landlord ask about criminal history?
Only after a conditional offer (D.C. Code § 42-3541.02).
Can old evictions be used against me?
Not if filed three or more years ago or if the landlord did not win possession (D.C. Code § 42-3505.10).
What must a denial notice include?
If a consumer report was used, the name of the screening company, a statement that it did not make the decision, and your rights to dispute and to a free copy within 60 days (FTC, Using Consumer Reports: What Landlords Need to Know).
Legal notice
Homzora is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws, court rules, and local programs change, and how they apply depends on your facts. Before you act on anything in this article, confirm the current rules with the court, a licensed attorney, or a legal aid organization.
Sources
- Homzora Washington, D.C. dataset, Table B25003
- Homzora Washington, D.C. dataset, Table B25064
- D.C. Attorney General consumer alert (April 2026)
- D.C. Code § 42-3505.10
- D.C. Code § 42-3541.02
- D.C. Office of Human Rights, Source of income notice (2025)
- D.C. Code § 42-3505.09
- FTC, Using Consumer Reports: What Landlords Need to Know
- CFPB, If your rental application is denied because of a screening report
- Federal Register, HUD withdrawal of 2016 criminal records guidance (July 17, 2026)
- 211.org
- 42 U.S.C. § 3604
- HUD, File a Complaint