The notices and their periods
- Notice to Pay or Quit (nonpayment) — a landlord can't file for nonpayment unless the tenant owes at least $600, and must copy the Rent Administrator within five days of the notice (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01). The notice period has long been 30 days, but the 2025 RENTAL Act (effective Dec. 31, 2025) reportedly shortened it — some sources now cite 10 days. Confirm the current period before serving.
- 30-Day Notice to Cure or Vacate — for a curable lease violation — 30 days to fix the problem (§ 42-3505.01). Illegal activity or a “drug haven” can require no notice.
- 90 / 120 / 180-Day Notices — longer notices apply to no-fault grounds: 90 days for owner or buyer move-in, 120 days for renovation (with a right to return), and 180 days for demolition.
Ending a tenancy and serving notice
D.C. is a just-cause jurisdiction — a landlord must have one of the statutory grounds (and serve the matching notice) to recover possession; there's generally no true no-fault eviction. A 5-day grace period applies before late fees, and rent increases require their own advance notice.
Notices must be served in English and Spanish. Cases are filed in the D.C. Superior Court, Landlord and Tenant Branch, and a Writ of Restitution is executed only by the U.S. Marshals Service. Self-help eviction is illegal.
Just cause, a $600 floor, and a 2025 change
Three things make D.C. distinctive: it's a just-cause jurisdiction (no no-fault eviction for most tenancies), a landlord can't even file a nonpayment case unless the tenant owes at least $600 and copies the Rent Administrator, and the 2025 RENTAL Act recently changed the notice rules — with sources now disagreeing on whether the nonpayment notice is 30 days or 10. Because it's so new, verify the current requirement before acting.
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How much rent must be owed to evict in D.C.?
At least $600 — a landlord can't file a nonpayment eviction for less (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01), and must copy the Rent Administrator within five days of the notice.
How many days' notice for nonpayment in D.C.?
Historically 30 days, but the 2025 RENTAL Act (effective Dec. 31, 2025) reportedly shortened it, with some sources now citing 10 days. Confirm the current period, since this is a recent change.
Can a D.C. landlord evict without a reason?
No. D.C. is a just-cause jurisdiction — the landlord needs a statutory ground, and no-fault grounds like owner move-in (90 days), renovation (120 days), or demolition (180 days) carry their own long notice periods.
More notice types: Pay or Quit · Cure or Quit · Unconditional Quit · eviction notices overview. By state: California · Texas · Florida · New York · Illinois · Pennsylvania · Ohio · Georgia · North Carolina · Michigan · New Jersey · Virginia · Washington · Arizona · Massachusetts · Tennessee · Indiana · Missouri · Maryland · Wisconsin · Minnesota · South Carolina · Alabama · Louisiana · Kentucky · Oregon · Oklahoma · Connecticut · Utah · Nevada · Iowa · Arkansas · Mississippi · Kansas · New Mexico · Nebraska · Idaho · West Virginia · Colorado · Hawaii · New Hampshire · Maine · Montana · Rhode Island · Delaware · South Dakota · North Dakota · Alaska · Vermont · Wyoming.
WriteMyNotice.com is a self-help document preparation service, not a law firm, and this page is general information, not legal advice. Eviction rules are strict and vary by state, county, and city — many cities add rent-control or just-cause requirements on top of state law, and an improper or mistimed notice can get an eviction case delayed or dismissed. Verify the current requirements for your property's location and, for contested or high-stakes evictions, consult a landlord-tenant attorney. Statute references verified June 2026.