Below is a full-length, court-ready District of Columbia Residential Lease Agreement template drafted to the specifications provided. Replace all bracketed placeholders before use, ensure required exhibits/disclosures are attached, and have final document reviewed by counsel prior to execution.

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

(District of Columbia)

This Residential Lease Agreement (the “Lease”) is made as of [EFFECTIVE DATE] (the “Effective Date”) by and between:

• [LANDLORD LEGAL NAME], a [FORM OF ENTITY/“natural person”], with a mailing address of [LANDLORD ADDRESS] (“Landlord”); and
• [TENANT LEGAL NAME(S)], presently residing at [TENANT ADDRESS] (“Tenant”).

Landlord and Tenant are each a “Party” and collectively the “Parties.”

RECITALS

A. Landlord is the fee-simple owner of the residential premises located at [STREET ADDRESS, UNIT #], Washington, DC [ZIP] (the “Premises”).
B. Landlord desires to lease, and Tenant desires to rent, the Premises subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Definitions
II. Lease of Premises & Term
III. Rent, Additional Charges & Security Deposit
IV. Condition, Use & Habitability
V. Tenant Covenants
VI. Landlord Covenants
VII. Repairs, Maintenance & Alterations
VIII. Insurance, Risk Allocation & Indemnification
IX. Default & Remedies
X. Limitations of Liability
XI. Governing Law, Jurisdiction & Jury Trial
XII. Miscellaneous
XIII. Execution Block
Exhibits A–C

[// GUIDANCE: Auto-update section numbers if content is added/deleted.]

I. DEFINITIONS

“Additional Rent” – Any monetary obligation other than Base Rent payable by Tenant under this Lease.
“Base Rent” – [$AMOUNT] due monthly pursuant to §III.A.
“Commencement Date” – [COMMENCEMENT DATE].
“Expiration Date” – [EXPIRATION DATE].
“House Rules” – Landlord’s written building policies, attached as Exhibit C.
“Lease Term” – The period from the Commencement Date through the Expiration Date, subject to earlier termination.
“Security Deposit” – The amount deposited under §III.C, held in accordance with District of Columbia law.
“Utilities” – Water, sewer, electricity, gas, trash removal, internet, cable, or similar services to the Premises.

II. LEASE OF PREMISES & TERM

2.1 Grant of Lease. Landlord leases the Premises to Tenant for the Lease Term, and Tenant hereby accepts such lease.
2.2 Term. Lease Term begins on the Commencement Date and ends 11:59 p.m. on the Expiration Date unless earlier terminated as herein provided.
2.3 Holdover. Holdover without Landlord’s written consent creates a month-to-month tenancy at 150% of the last monthly Base Rent plus Additional Rent, terminable by either Party on thirty (30) days’ written notice.

III. RENT, ADDITIONAL CHARGES & SECURITY DEPOSIT

3.1 Base Rent. Tenant shall pay Base Rent in advance on or before the first (1st) calendar day of each month at [PAYMENT ADDRESS] or as Landlord otherwise directs in writing.
3.2 Additional Rent. Tenant shall pay: (a) Utilities allocated per Exhibit A; (b) a late fee of [$] if Base Rent remains unpaid after the fifth (5th) day of the month; and (c) all other sums due hereunder, each within five (5) days of Landlord’s written demand.
3.3 Security Deposit.

a. Deposit. Upon execution, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord a Security Deposit equal to one (1) month’s Base Rent.
b. Statutory Compliance. The Security Deposit shall be: (i) held in an interest-bearing, non-commingled account at a financial institution located in the District of Columbia; (ii) subject to annual interest credited to Tenant at the rate set by the D.C. government; (iii) returned with accrued interest within forty-five (45) days after Tenant surrenders the Premises, less permitted deductions; and (iv) accompanied by an itemized statement of any deductions delivered within thirty (30) days after surrender, with copies of relevant receipts.
c. Permitted Deductions. Only unpaid Rent, lawful fees, and costs of repairing damage beyond ordinary wear and tear may be withheld.
d. Transfer. Upon transfer of the Premises, Landlord shall transfer the Security Deposit (with interest) to the transferee, and Tenant shall look solely to such transferee for its return.

[// GUIDANCE: Do not exceed one month’s rent for the deposit—strictly enforced in DC.]

IV. CONDITION, USE & HABITABILITY

4.1 Delivery Condition. Landlord shall deliver the Premises in safe, sanitary, and habitable condition in compliance with DC housing codes.
4.2 Quiet Enjoyment. Tenant shall peacefully and quietly enjoy the Premises so long as Tenant complies with this Lease.
4.3 Permitted Use. Premises shall be used solely for private residential purposes by Tenant and Authorized Occupants listed in Exhibit B.
4.4 Habitability & Essential Services. Landlord shall maintain all building systems and provide essential services (heat, hot/cold water, electricity) as required by law.
4.5 Emergency Contact. Landlord designates [NAME/PHONE/EMAIL] as a 24-hour contact for emergencies affecting health or safety.

V. TENANT COVENANTS

5.1 Maintenance. Tenant shall keep the Premises clean, sanitary, and free of trash; promptly report conditions requiring repair; and surrender Premises in substantially the same condition as received, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
5.2 Prohibited Acts. Tenant shall not: (a) commit or allow illegal or nuisance activity; (b) keep pets without written consent (service/assistance animals excepted); (c) alter locks or install fixtures without approval; or (d) smoke where prohibited.
5.3 Compliance. Tenant shall comply with all applicable laws and House Rules.
5.4 Access. Upon at least forty-eight (48) hours’ notice (except in emergencies), Tenant shall allow Landlord and its agents reasonable access for inspection, repairs, or to show the Premises.

VI. LANDLORD COVENANTS

6.1 Services & Common Areas. Landlord shall provide services specified in Exhibit A and maintain common areas in safe condition.
6.2 Required Disclosures. Landlord has furnished Tenant with all disclosures mandated by DC law, including the D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights and any lead-based paint/radon information.
6.3 Repair Response. Landlord shall respond to written repair requests within [X] business days and remedy habitability issues within a reasonable time, not exceeding thirty (30) days absent Force Majeure.

VII. REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE & ALTERATIONS

7.1 Tenant Responsibilities. Tenant shall replace light bulbs, keep drains clear, and repair damage caused by Tenant or guests.
7.2 Alterations. No structural or material alterations without Landlord’s prior written consent. Approved alterations become Landlord’s property upon installation unless otherwise agreed.
7.3 Liens. Tenant shall keep the Premises free of mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens arising from Tenant’s work.

VIII. INSURANCE, RISK ALLOCATION & INDEMNIFICATION

8.1 Tenant Insurance. Tenant shall maintain renter’s insurance with liability limits of at least $[AMOUNT] per occurrence and property coverage for personal belongings, naming Landlord and any property manager as additional insureds.
8.2 Waiver of Subrogation. Each Party waives subrogation rights to the extent covered by insurance.
8.3 Tenant Use Indemnity. Tenant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Landlord and its agents against all claims, losses, or expenses arising from (a) Tenant’s use or occupancy of the Premises, (b) acts or omissions of Tenant or guests, or (c) Tenant’s breach, except to the extent caused by Landlord’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

IX. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

9.1 Tenant Defaults. A “Tenant Default” occurs if Tenant:
a. Fails to pay Rent within ten (10) days after written notice that it is overdue;
b. Breaches any material covenant and fails to cure within thirty (30) days after notice (or shorter statutory period);
c. Allows unauthorized occupants; or
d. Engages in illegal or nuisance conduct.

9.2 Notice & Cure. Landlord shall provide written notice of default and permit statutory cure periods as required by DC law.
9.3 Landlord Remedies. Upon expiration of any cure period, Landlord may:
a. Terminate this Lease;
b. Seek possession solely through the Landlord & Tenant Branch of the Superior Court of DC and recover all lawful damages, including attorneys’ fees;
c. Exercise any other legal or equitable right.
9.4 Eviction Procedure. Self-help eviction is prohibited. Possession may be regained only via court order executed by the U.S. Marshals Service.
9.5 Landlord Default. Tenant may seek statutory remedies, including rent abatement, if Landlord materially breaches and fails to cure within thirty (30) days after notice.

X. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

10.1 Cap on Damages. Except for (a) willful misconduct or gross negligence, (b) personal injury/property damage caused by Landlord, or (c) failure to return the Security Deposit, Landlord’s aggregate liability arising from this Lease shall not exceed the Security Deposit then held.
10.2 No Consequential Damages. Neither Party shall be liable for consequential, special, or punitive damages except as awarded to third parties under the indemnities herein.

XI. GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION & JURY TRIAL

11.1 Governing Law. This Lease is governed by the laws of the District of Columbia.
11.2 Forum Selection. Exclusive venue for any action arising hereunder lies in the Landlord & Tenant Branch or Civil Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia (subject-matter permitting).
11.3 Jury Trial. Each Party retains its constitutional right to trial by jury; no waiver is intended or implied.
11.4 Injunctive Relief. Nothing herein limits either Party’s right to seek injunctive or other equitable relief.

[// GUIDANCE: Arbitration clause intentionally omitted per user directive.]

XII. MISCELLANEOUS

12.1 Force Majeure. Performance (other than monetary obligations) is excused during events beyond the affected Party’s reasonable control, provided prompt notice is given.
12.2 Assignment & Subletting. No assignment or sublet without Landlord’s written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; Tenant remains primarily liable.
12.3 Amendments; Waivers. Must be in a writing signed by both Parties.
12.4 Severability. Invalid provisions are severed and the remainder enforced; offending terms shall be reformed to the minimum extent allowable.
12.5 Entire Agreement. This Lease and its exhibits constitute the entire agreement, superseding all prior understandings.
12.6 Notices. Must be in writing and delivered (i) personally, (ii) by certified mail, or (iii) by recognized overnight courier to the addresses below (or as updated in writing). Notices to Tenant may be delivered to the Premises.
 Landlord: [LANDLORD NOTICE ADDRESS]
 Tenant: The Premises
12.7 Counterparts & Electronic Signatures. Counterparts and electronic signatures are binding.
12.8 Successors & Assigns. This Lease binds and benefits the Parties and their lawful successors and permitted assigns.

XIII. EXECUTION BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Lease as of the Effective Date.

LANDLORD:

[NAME & TITLE]
Date: _________

TENANT(S):

[TENANT NAME]
Date: _________

[TENANT NAME, if applicable]
Date: _________

[NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT – attach if required for recordability or state program eligibility.]

EXHIBIT A – SERVICES & UTILITIES

[Detail included vs. Tenant-paid utilities and any service schedules.]

EXHIBIT B – AUTHORIZED OCCUPANTS

[List all individuals permitted to reside in the Premises.]

EXHIBIT C – HOUSE RULES

[Attach comprehensive rules: noise, pets, common areas, etc.]

[// GUIDANCE: Also attach lead-based paint disclosure for any property built before 1978, mold/radon notices, and the “D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights.”]

END OF DOCUMENT