Eviction in District of Columbia
State-specific overview · Property & Real Estate
DC requires landlords to provide 30 days' notice for non-payment and 30 days for other lease violations before filing eviction.
How District of Columbia treats Eviction
DC law requires landlords to give tenants written notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure lease violations before initiating eviction proceedings. For non-payment of rent, landlords must provide at least 30 days' notice. For other breaches, landlords must generally allow 30 days to remedy the violation. DC courts apply strict procedural requirements, and evictions based on retaliation or discrimination are prohibited. The District also provides strong tenant protections, including habitability standards that landlords must maintain.
The general definition of Eviction
The legal process by which a landlord removes a tenant from rental property.
Eviction is the formal legal process a landlord uses to force a tenant to leave the property. The landlord must have a valid reason—such as non-payment of rent, lease violation, or the end of the lease term—and must follow strict procedural rules, which vary by state. Typically, the landlord must give written notice (often 30 days or more), file a case in court, and obtain a judgment from a judge before the tenant can be physically removed. A tenant has the right to defend themselves in court and present their side of the story.
Read the full Eviction entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in District of Columbia.