Security deposit interest in District of Columbia

District of Columbia requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits.

• Applies when: interest payable at termination for tenancies of 12 months or longer
• Rate: Not less than the statement savings rate prevailing on January 1 and July 1 (each 6-month period) at the DC financial institution where the escrow account is held; if the landlord fails to use an interest-bearing account, the higher DC judgment rate of interest applies; landlord may keep up to 30% of interest earned above the statement savings rate
• Paid: at termination (with deposit, within 45 days)
• Statute: D.C. Code § 42-3502.17; 14 DCMR §§ 308-311 · primary source

No single published rate - it floats with the statement savings rate of the specific DC bank holding the escrow, reset each Jan 1 / Jul 1. Landlord must post the applicable rates annually. Bad-faith nonpayment = treble damages.