Wilmington, DE local landlord rules
State law also applies. See Delaware landlord-tenant law and the Delaware landlord FAQ. State rules: Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Late fees · Eviction notice (nonpayment) · Rent increase notice.
Quick facts
| Topic | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Rental licensing / registration | Yes, through the City business license. No one may engage in any business without a City license (§ 5-34). A buyer of residential property who intends to rent it must certify the rental use, complete a business license application (or update an existing business license and rental registration) and pay the business license fee at settlement (§ 5-37.1). |
Details & sources
Rental licensing / registration
Yes, through the City business license. No one may engage in any business without a City license (§ 5-34). A buyer of residential property who intends to rent it must certify the rental use, complete a business license application (or update an existing business license and rental registration) and pay the business license fee at settlement (§ 5-37.1).
Verified Source: Wilmington City Code §§ 5-34, 5-37.1 (Browser transcription) · last checked 2026-10-15
Back to quick facts ↑Research coverage
0 of 13 topics checked at the local level (state law is covered on the state page). A topic counts as checked only when every subtopic in it is checked or no additional requirement was found after a recorded full read. How coverage works.
| Topic | Status | Subtopics done |
|---|---|---|
| Deposits | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Deposit return deadlines | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Rent increases and rent control | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Late fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Landlord entry | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Repairs and habitability | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Screening and application fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Fair housing and assistance animals | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Disclosures | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Renewal and termination | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Eviction | Not researched | 0 of 3 |
| Registration and licensing | Partially researched | 1 of 3 |
| Short-term rentals | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
Also applies statewide
Delaware rules that also apply in Wilmington:
- Security deposit limit
- No more than 1 month's rent for leases of 1 year or more, or month-to-month tenancies that have lasted 1 year or more (furnished units excepted). Verified Source: 25 Del. C. § 5514(a) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Delaware security deposit limit page
- Deposit return deadline
- Within 20 days after the lease ends, provide an itemized list of damages and return the balance; failure entitles the tenant to double the amount wrongfully withheld. Verified Source: 25 Del. C. § 5514 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Delaware deposit return deadline page
- Notice to enter
- At least 48 hours' notice (except for repairs the tenant requested); entry only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Verified Source: 25 Del. C. § 5509(b) · last checked 2026-10-28 · Full Delaware notice to enter page
- Late fees
- No more than 5% of the monthly rent, and none within 5 days of the agreed due date. Verified Source: 25 Del. C. § 5501(d) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Delaware late fees page
Other Delaware cities
- Dover landlord rules
- Harrington landlord rules
- Milford landlord rules
- New Castle County landlord rules
- Newark landlord rules
- Smyrna landlord rules
Back to Delaware landlord-tenant law
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