Washington D.C. Eviction Process

Last Updated: January 17, 2023 by Elizabeth Souza

Steps of the eviction process in Washington D.C.:

1. Landlord serves tenant written notice.
2. Landlord files complaint with court (if unresolved).
3. Court holds hearing & issues judgment.
4. Writ of restitution is issued.
5. Possession of property is returned to landlord.

Evicting a tenant in Washington D.C. can take around 1 to 8 months depending on the reason for the eviction. If tenants file an answer or request a jury trial the process can take longer.

Grounds for an Eviction in Washington D.C.

In Washington D.C., a landlord cannot legally evict a tenant without cause. Legal grounds to evict include not paying rent on time, violating the terms of the lease, and committing illegal activity on the premises. Even so, proper notice must first be given before ending the tenancy.

Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent

In Washington D.C., a landlord can evict a tenant for not paying rent on time. If the rent is past due, the landlord can issue a 30 days’
[2]
notice to quit.

Unless the lease states otherwise, rent is due at the beginning of each pay period and is considered late in Washington D.C. on the fifth day
[3]
after its due date. So for example, if rent is due on the first day of the month, it is considered late starting on the sixth of the month (if not paid in full).

Once rent is considered late, the landlord can begin the eviction process by serving the tenant with proper notice.

Eviction for Violation of Lease or Responsibilities

In Washington D.C., a landlord can evict a tenant for violating the terms of their lease or not upholding their responsibilities under Washington D.C. landlord-tenant law. To do so, landlords must give 30 days’
[4]
notice to comply or vacate. Tenants are given the opportunity to fix the issue before the notice period ends or move out.

Tenant responsibilities include:

• Maintaining the premises so it is clean, safe and sanitary.
• Disposing of all garbage in a clean, safe and sanitary manner.
• Keeping all plumbing fixtures clean and sanitary.
• Maintaining the premises so it is free from rodents and vermin.
• Maintaining all facilities, utilities and services to be in a safe and good working condition.
• Not destroying or damaging any part of the premises.

Examples of lease violations include:

• Having an unauthorized pet or guest.
• Parking in an unauthorized area.
• Not maintaining a certain level of cleanliness.

Eviction for Demolition of the Rental Unit

In Washington D.C., a landlord can evict a tenant if they want to demolish a rental property and rebuild it. To do so, the landlord must give 180 days’
[5]
notice to vacate. The tenant does not have the option to remain at the property and must move out at the end of the notice period.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Eviction for Renovation of the Rental Unit

In Washington D.C., a landlord can evict a tenant if they want to renovate the rental property and the landlord cannot safely or reasonably make the renovations while the rental unit is being occupied. To do so, the landlord must give 120 days’
[6]
notice to vacate without the chance to remain at the property during the renovations.

Tenants have the right to return to the rental unit once renovations are complete, to re-rent the unit at the same rate if the renovations were required to bring the unit up to current code.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may permanently evict the tenant by filing an eviction action with the court.

Eviction for Substantial Rehabilitation of the Rental Unit

In Washington D.C., a landlord can evict a tenant for the purpose of an immediate, substantial rehabilitation. To do so, the landlord must give 120 days’
[7]
notice to vacate without the chance to remain at the property during the rental unit’s renovations.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Eviction for Discontinuance of Use

In Washington D.C., a tenant can be evicted if the landlord decides that they no longer want to rent out the property. To do so, the landlord must give their tenants 180 days’
[8]
notice to vacate the rental unit. Tenants do not have an option to remain at the rental unit and must move out.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Eviction for Owner’s Personal Use of Rental Unit

In Washington D.C., a landlord can evict a tenant if they no longer want to rent out the unit, and instead want to live at the property themselves. To do so, the landlord must give their tenant 90 days’
[9]
notice to vacate. Tenants do not have the option to remain at the rental unit and must move out.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Eviction for Sale of Rental Unit

In Washington D.C. a landlord can evict a tenant if the rental property is sold. To do so, landlords must give 90 days’
[10]
notice to vacate.  Tenants do not have the option to remain at the rental unit and must move out.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Eviction for Condominium Conversion

In Washington D.C. a landlord can evict a tenant if the rental unit will be converted into a condominium or cooperative. To do so, landlords must give 90 days’
[11]
notice to vacate.  Tenants do not have the option to remain at the rental unit and must move out.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Eviction for Illegal Activity

In Washington D.C., a landlord can evict a tenant for performing an illegal activity at the dwelling unit. To do so, landlords must give 30 days’
[12]
notice of termination. Tenants do not have the option to fix the issue and must move out of the rental unit.

Examples of illegal activity include:

• Illegal drug activity.
• Prostitution.
• Threats of violence.

If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.

Step 1: Landlord Serves Notice to Tenant

A landlord can begin the eviction process in Washington D.C. by serving the tenant with written notice. The notice must be delivered by one of the following methods:

1. Delivering it to the tenant in person.
2. Leaving a copy with someone of suitable age at the rental unit if the tenant cannot be found.
3. Posting the notice in a conspicuous place at the rental unit AND mailing a copy to the tenant via first class mail, postage prepaid (within 3 days of posting) if no one can be found at the rental unit.

If the notice is posted, the landlord is legally required to take a photograph of the posted notice. The photograph must have a readable date and timestamp for proof of service if the case proceeds to court.

A copy of all eviction notices, except for the nonpayment of rent notice, must also be given to the Rent Administrator.

Language Requirements. Every eviction and lease termination notice must be served on the tenant in both English and Spanish. If the tenant speaks a language other than English or Spanish, the landlord is required to provide the notice in that language, as required by law.

It is important for a landlord to always keep the original signed notice and declaration of service as proof of proper service if the case proceeds to court. 

30-Day Notice to Quit

If a tenant is late on paying rent (full or partial) in Washington D.C., the landlord can serve them a 30-Day Notice to Quit. This eviction notice gives the tenant 30 calendar days to pay the rent balance due in full or vacate the premises.

30-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate

In Washington D.C., if a tenant commits a violation of the terms of their lease or legal responsibilities as a tenant, the landlord can serve them a 30-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate. This eviction notice gives the tenant 30 calendar days to fix the issue or move out.

180-Day Notice to Quit

In Washington D.C., if a landlord wants to demolish the rental unit or discontinue the use as a rental property, the landlord can serve the tenant a 180-Day Notice to Quit. This eviction notice gives the tenant 180 calendar days to move out. The tenant does not have the option to remain on the property.

120-Day Notice to Quit

In Washington D.C., if a landlord wants to substantially rehabilitate the rental unit or make renovations, the landlord can serve the tenant a 120-Day Notice to Quit. This eviction notice gives the tenant 120 calendar days to move out. The tenant does not have the option to remain on the property.

90-Day Notice to Quit

In Washington D.C., if a landlord wants to sell the property, use the rental property for his or her own personal use, or convert the rental property to a condominium, the landlord can serve the tenant a 90-Day Notice to Quit. This eviction notice gives the tenant 90 calendar days to move out. The tenant does not have the option to remain on the property.

30-Day Notice of Termination

In Washington D.C., if a tenant is involved with an illegal activity on the rental premises, the landlord can serve the tenant a 30-Day Notice of Termination. This eviction notice gives the tenant 30 calendar days to move out without the chance to fix the issue.

Step 2: Landlord Files Lawsuit with Court

As the next step in the eviction process, Washington D.C. landlords must file a verified complaint in the Superior court. This costs $15 in filing fees.

The summons and complaint may be served on the tenant by anyone over the age of 18 who isn’t part of the case at least 7 days
[16]
prior to the eviction hearing, unless it’s an eviction for illegal drug activity.

For drug-related evictions, tenants will only receive 5 days’
[17]
notice prior to the eviction hearing.

Though October 7, 2022
[1]
for evictions related to nonpayment of rent, the following pre-requisites are required prior to filing an eviction action in court:

• The landlord must serve a 60 days’ notice of past due rent.
• The 60 days’ notice period has ended and the tenant has not filed an emergency rental assistance application.
• The emergency rental assistance application has been denied.
• The tenant’s nonpayment of rent is $600 (or more) or the tenant is at least 2 months behind on rent, whichever is greater.
• The emergency rental assistance application is approved but a balance of $600 or more is owed and the tenant and landlord have not made a rent payment plan within 14 days of the applications denial (or acceptance with a remaining balance).

Tenants may be served through one of the following methods:
[18]

1. Giving a copy to the tenant in person;
2. Leaving a copy with someone over the age of 16 at the rental unit; or
3. Posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the rental unit AND mailing a copy to the tenant via first class mail.

The summons and complaint may only be posted on the rental premises if the first two service methods fail.

Step 3: Court Holds Hearing & Issues Judgment

The initial hearing will be set for a date at least 21 days after the complaint was filed.

For illegal drug activity evictions, the initial hearing will be set for 2 weeks after the complaint was filed with the court.

If the tenant fails to appear for the hearing, the judge will make a ruling on the eviction that day.

However, if either the landlord or tenant requests a jury trial, this will add 2 weeks
[19]
to the process.

Another hearing will automatically be set at least 10 days later if the tenant and landlord can’t come up with an agreement at the initial hearing (i.e., for the tenant to move out, pay past due rent, etc.), unless the judicial officer determines that the tenant has no good defense to the eviction case and rules in favor of the landlord.

If the tenant fails to meet the requirements of an agreement reached at the initial hearing (such as paying past-due rent by a certain deadline), then the tenant may be evicted for failing to comply with the agreement/court ruling.

If the judge rules in favor of the landlord, either at an initial or follow-up hearing, a writ of restitution will be issued and the eviction process will proceed.

Step 4: Writ of Restitution Is Issued

The writ of restitution is the tenant’s final notice to leave the rental unit, and gives them the opportunity to move out before the U.S. Marshals come to the property to forcibly remove the tenant.

If the court has ruled in the landlord’s favor, then a writ of restitution will be issued at least two days after the judgment for possession (for the landlord) is issued.

The landlord must file a completed writ with the court, but the writ will be sent to the U.S. Marshal’s office the same day it’s filed.

Step 5: Possession of Property is Returned

Delivery of the writ of restitution must be scheduled by the landlord, but will be delivered by the U.S. Marshal’s service.

Tenants have 3 days to move out once the writ has been posted, unless the eviction also includes a money judgment, like back rent owed. In that case, the eviction must be stayed for 14 days
[20]
before the tenant can be forcibly removed by the Marshals.

Washington D.C. Eviction Process Timeline

In Washington D.C., an eviction can be completed in 1 to 8 months but can take longer depending on the reason for eviction, whether the eviction is contested, which days courts are (or aren’t) in session and other various possible delays.

Below are the parts of the Washington D.C. eviction process outside the control of landlords for cases that go uncontested.

Flowchart of Washington D.C. Eviction Process

For additional questions about the eviction process in Washington D.C. please refer to the official legislation, DC Code §§42-3505.01 to 42-3505.08, §§42-3601 to 42-3610, §§16-1501 to 16-1505, and Superior Court Rules of Procedure for the Landlord and Tenant Branch, for more information.