Eviction notices in District of Columbia

The landlord must give written notice of intent to file for nonpayment at least 10 days before filing, with the amount owed and a ledger attached; no notice may be issued and no eviction filed if less than $600 is owed (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1); § 16-1501(b)). The pre-filing period was cut from 30 to 10 days by the RENTAL Act (D.C. Law 26-80), effective Dec. 31, 2025. The statutory notice wording still says the landlord may file if the balance is not paid 'within 30 days of this notice'.

Can the tenant pay to stop it? The tenant has the right to stay if the full unpaid rent balance is paid.

Type:

Pay or move out

Notice period:

10 days

Law:

D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)

A landlord may recover possession for a violation of an obligation of the tenancy (other than nonpayment) only if the tenant fails to correct it within 30 days after receiving notice; the notice must also be served on the Rent Administrator (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a)(1), (b)).

Chance to fix it: The tenant has 30 days after receiving the notice to correct the violation.

Type:

Fix it or move out

Notice period:

30 days

Law:

D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(b)

30-day notice to vacate after a court determination of an illegal act. For cases filed after Dec. 31, 2025 involving a dangerous crime or crime of violence (not self-defense), the notice is 10 days and the court must hold an expedited hearing within 20 days of filing (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(c)).

When it applies: A court has found that the tenant (or an occupant, if the tenant knew or should have known) performed an illegal act in the unit or building.

Notice period:

30 days

Law:

D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(c)

The statute sets minimum periods ('at least 10 days before filing'; 30 days after receiving notice) but does not say how days are counted or whether weekends roll over.

The nonpayment notice must be sent BOTH by certified mail or a tracked delivery service (return receipt requested) AND by hand delivery to the unit or posting on the front door (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)(3)). If a notice is posted, a timestamped photo must be submitted to the court. Notices for reasons other than nonpayment must be served on both the tenant and the Rent Administrator. If the landlord knows the tenant's primary language is another covered language, the notice must be in that language (§ 42-3505.01(a)).

A tenant who keeps paying rent cannot be evicted, even after the lease expires, except for the specific reasons and notice periods listed in the Rental Housing Act. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a))

The landlord files a complaint for possession in D.C. Superior Court (Landlord and Tenant), with a valid rental registration and business license; the summons must be served at least 14 days before the initial hearing (D.C. Code § 16-1501(c); § 16-1502(a), as amended effective Dec. 31, 2025). The court may dismiss if notice was improper (§ 16-1501(d)). The required notice tells tenants 'Only a court can order your eviction' (§ 42-3505.01(a-1)(2)). No eviction may be carried out on days of freezing or 95°F+ forecasts or when it is raining (§ 42-3505.01(k)).

• The court may stay a nonpayment case once if the tenant shows a pending Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) application (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(r)).
• Nonpayment of a late fee cannot be the basis for an eviction (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a)(1)).
• A tenant who is a victim (or the parent or guardian of a minor victim) of an intrafamily offense has a defense to a lease-violation or illegal-act eviction if the court finds the offense is the basis for the notice to vacate; if the tenant has a protection order requiring the abuser to vacate, the court may not enter judgment for possession (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(c-1)).
• The weather-based eviction bans in § 42-3505.01(k) do not apply where a court has found an illegal act under subsection (c), found that the tenant's actions or presence cause undue hardship to the health, welfare and safety of other tenants or neighbors, or found that the tenant abandoned the unit (§ 42-3505.01(k-1)).

• District of Columbia notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (no-cause notice by tenant or landlord)
• District of Columbia security deposit law: deadlines after move-out
• Federal 30-day notice for covered properties (CARES Act)

• D.C. Code § 42-3505.01 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• D.C. Code § 16-1501 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• D.C. Code § 16-1502 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• D.C. Law 26-80, RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025 Retrieved October 13, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 13, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; if you have an eviction case, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.