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District of Columbia, United States

District of Columbia Eviction Notice

Create a proper District of Columbia eviction notice — pay-or-quit, cure-or-quit, or termination — and download a print-ready PDF. Free, no signup. The preview updates as you type.

Reflects current District of Columbia rules · 2026Official source linkedFree PDF · no signup · nothing uploaded

Maintained by the SealForms editorial team · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.

What happens after the notice in District of Columbia

If the tenant does not comply, the eviction moves to court. These are District of Columbia’s own rules for that step, from the judiciary and the statute.

Each point links to the District of Columbia source it was taken from. Rules change; confirm before relying on them.

District of Columbia notice periods · as of 2026

Non-payment of rent
10 days
Lease violation (cure)
30 days
End month-to-month
30 days

Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1) (RENTAL Act, D.C. Law 26-80, eff. 12/31/2025); § 42-3202 · verify ↗. Using the wrong number can void the notice — confirm the current rule before you serve it.

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Notice to Pay or Quit / Vacate

State of District of Columbia

Date: __________. To: __________ ("Tenant"), and all occupants of __________ (the "Premises").

You are hereby notified that you are in violation of your tenancy for the following reason: __________ . Amount due, if applicable: $______.

You are required, within ____ days as required by District of Columbia law, on or before__________, to cure the violation (or pay the amount due) OR to vacate and surrender the Premises. If you fail to do so, the landlord may begin eviction proceedings in court.

This notice is given under the landlord-tenant laws of the State of District of Columbia. Nothing here waives the landlord’s rights.

Landlord signature / date

Generated with SealFormsReflects District of Columbia law · verified 2026

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    Types of eviction notice

    • Pay or quit — for unpaid rent: pay by the deadline or move out.
    • Cure or quit — for a lease violation: fix it by the deadline or move out.
    • Unconditional / termination — to end a month-to-month tenancy or for serious violations.

    District of Columbia notice period & service

    The number of days and how you must deliver the notice are set by District of Columbia law — get both right, keep proof of service, and never lock out or remove a tenant yourself. Check the current District of Columbia eviction rules before serving.

    Frequently asked questions

    How many days notice do I have to give in District of Columbia?

    In District of Columbia, a non-payment (pay-or-quit) notice must give the tenant 10 days to pay or leave (as of 2026). Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1) (RENTAL Act, D.C. Law 26-80, eff. 12/31/2025); § 42-3202. Notice periods for lease violations or ending a tenancy differ — see the box on this page and confirm current law before serving.

    Is an eviction notice the same as eviction?

    No. The notice is the required first step — it gives the tenant a chance to pay, fix the problem, or move out by a deadline. If they don’t, you then file an eviction (unlawful detainer) case in court. You cannot lock out or remove a tenant yourself; only a court and law enforcement can carry out an eviction.

    How do I serve the notice in District of Columbia?

    States set rules for delivery — often personal delivery, leaving it with an adult at the home, and/or mailing a copy. Keep proof of how and when you served it. Improper service is a common reason eviction cases get dismissed, so follow District of Columbia’s method carefully.

    Do I need a lawyer?

    Not always for the notice itself, but eviction is technical and a small mistake can restart the clock. For contested cases, commercial properties, or if the tenant has an attorney, it’s worth consulting a landlord-tenant lawyer in District of Columbia.

    Where does a landlord file an eviction case in District of Columbia?

    If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord files in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia (Landlord and Tenant Branch) (the case is called a(n) forcible entry and detainer (complaint for restitution of possession) action). Source: D.C. Code § 16-1501(a).

    How must an eviction notice be served in District of Columbia?

    Nonpayment notice: by certified mail or tracked delivery service (return receipt) AND by hand delivery to the unit or posting on the front door; notices for other reasons served on tenant and Rent Administrator. Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)(3) (as amended through D.C. Law 26-108, Apr. 16, 2026).

    How does District of Columbia compare? See the notice periods in all 50 states, every figure cited to statute. Not sure which notice applies? Try the 2-question wizard.

    How District of Columbia compares

    Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1) (RENTAL Act, D.C. Law 26-80, eff. 12/31/2025); § 42-3202 ↗.

    Notice to pay rent or quit

    Notice to pay rent or quit: 10 days — about 2× the national median of 5 days across the 47 states with a statutory rule.

    This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 7 other states.

    Notice to pay rent or quit in neighboring states — Maryland (10 days), Virginia (14 days).

    Notice to cure a lease violation

    Notice to cure a lease violation: 30 days — about 2× the national median of 14 days across the 38 states with a statutory rule.

    This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 7 other states.

    Notice to cure a lease violation in neighboring states — Maryland (30 days), Virginia (21 days).

    Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy

    Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy: 30 days, exactly the national median.

    This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 36 other states.

    Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in neighboring states — Maryland (60 days), Virginia (30 days).

    Eviction notice in other states

    More District of Columbia legal forms

    Different state? See eviction notices by state →