District of Columbia

Security deposit

Your landlord had 45 days to refund or give notice of intent to withhold; balance due within 30 days after that notice to return your deposit or list the deductions in writing. If they were late or kept it wrongly, if they kept it in bad faith, a court can make them pay up to three times what they withheld.

Return deadline45 days to refund or give notice of intent to withhold; balance due within 30 days after that notice

If the landlord is late or keeps it wronglyAmount withheld; up to three times the amount withheld for bad-faith retention, and forfeiture of interest

D.C. Code § 42-3505.31; 14 DCMR § 309 · Verified 2026-10-21 · Read the statute

Two-step deadline: 45 days to refund or notify, then 30 days to pay the balance with an itemized statement.

Gift card cash back

No statute

This state has no law that lets you cash out a small gift card balance. The card keeps working until it is used up or expires under federal rules.

Cash backNo statute

No state cash-back statute · Verified 2026-10-21

No state cash-redemption statute found in the statute survey for this run; federal gift-card rules on expiry and fees still apply.

Final paycheck

If you were fired, your final pay is due the next working day. If you quit, it is due within 7 days or on the next payday, whichever comes first.

If firedNext working day after termination

If you quitEarlier of the next regular payday or within 7 days after resigning

Late-pay penaltyLiquidated damages up to three times the unpaid wages, plus costs and attorney fees

D.C. Code § 32-1303 · Verified 2026-10-21 · Read the statute

Shorter deadlines apply to an employee who was entrusted with money, as stated in § 32-1303.