Washington D.C. Eviction Notice Forms

Last Updated: July 25, 2024 by Roberto Valenzuela

A Washington D.C. eviction notice form is a legal demand for a tenant to comply with the terms of the rental agreement or else move out of the premises. Washington D.C. landlords may deliver an eviction notice because of unpaid rent, lease violations, or illegal activity on the rental property.

Types of Washington D.C. Eviction Notice Forms

Notice Form Grounds Curable?
30 Day Notice To Quit Unpaid Rent Yes
30 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate Lease Violation Yes
30 Day Notice of Termination Illegal Activity No
30 Day Notice To Vacate End of / No Lease No

Eviction requires the landlord to provide a current business license (or relevant waiver) to the court at the time of filing a writ of restitution. The landlord must also serve any eviction or termination notice other than for nonpayment of rent to the Rent Administrator as well as to the tenant.

Washington D.C. 30 Day Notice To Quit

Download: PDF | Word

Washington D.C. 30 Day Notice To Quit evicts a tenant for nonpayment of rent, when the amount owed is $600 or more.   The tenant must pay all past due rent or else move out within thirty (30) calendar days.

Washington D.C. 30 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate

Download: PDF | Word

A Washington D.C. 30 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate demands correction of a lease violation that is “curable,” i.e., the tenant may get a chance to fix the situation rather than be evicted. A curable lease violation might include failure to maintain health and safety on the rental property, interfering with the quiet enjoyment of neighbors, or refusal to allow lawful entry by the landlord.

The tenant must take appropriate corrective action, or else move out within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving notice.

Washington D.C. 30 Day Notice of Termination

Download: PDF | Word

A Washington D.C. 30 Day Notice of Termination evicts a tenant for committing illegal activity on the premises. The tenant is not given an opportunity to take corrective action, and must move out within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving notice.

Washington D.C. 30 Day Notice To Vacate

Download: PDF | Word

A Washington D.C. 30 Day Notice To Vacate terminates a tenancy at will, a periodic tenancy (i.e. week-to-week or month-to-month) or a fixed term lease, as well an expired lease or a situation with no written lease. The non-terminating party must receive notice at least thirty (30) days before the date of termination.

How To Write an Eviction Notice in Washington D.C.       

To help ensure the legal compliance of an eviction notice:

  1. Use the full name of the receiving parties, and address of record, if known
  2. Specify the basis for terminating the tenancy, and corrective action necessary, if applicable
  3. Specify the termination date of the lease or tenancy
  4. Fill in the full address of the rental premises
  5. Provide updated/current address and phone number information
  6. Print name and sign the notice
  7. Complete the certificate of service by indicating the date and method of notice delivery, along with printed name and signature

It is easy to lose an otherwise justified legal action because of improper notice. Check carefully to ensure enough time after notice is delivered, not when it’s sent.

How To Calculate Expiration Date in Washington D.C.

The “clock” for an eviction notice period starts “ticking” the day after the notice gets delivered (served). For example, to give at least 30 days of notice and begin court action as of June 30th, delivery of the eviction notice must be no later than May 31st. 

In most jurisdictions, if the last day of a notice period is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the notice period continues to run until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. This is called the “next judicial day;” in other words, the next day a courthouse is open.

How To Serve an Eviction Notice in Washington D.C.  

Washington D.C. landlords may deliver an initial eviction notice using any of these methods:

  1. Hand delivery to the tenant
  2. Only if the tenant cannot be found: Hand delivery to a person of suitable age on the premises who can accept the notice on behalf of the tenant
  3. Only if all forms of hand delivery fail: Posting the notice on the premises, PLUS, within three (3) calendar days, mailing notice by first class mail with return postage prepaid

Mailed notice extends a notice period by three (3) calendar days, to account for variable delivery times.

Special Notice Requirements in Washington D.C.

In Washington D.C., notice from a landlord must be delivered in both English and Spanish, by default. If the landlord knows the tenant speaks a language other than English and Spanish, in most cases the landlord must provide notice in the tenant’s preferred language.

Except for notice for nonpayment of rent, all notices by default must be served on the Rent Administrator in addition to being served to the tenant. Notice posted to the premises can only be proven in Washington D.C. courts by providing a picture of the posted notice with a readable date and timestamp.

Read more

Sources