30 days
Pay-or-quit notice period
30 days
No-cause termination notice
Required
Just cause to terminate
D.C. Code § 42-3505.01
Governing statute
Key requirement: Landlords in District of Columbia must serve a
written 30-day pay-or-quit notice and wait the full period before filing an eviction
lawsuit. Filing before the notice period expires will result in dismissal.
30-Day Pay-or-Quit Notice Template
Use this template when a tenant has failed to pay rent. Fill in all bracketed fields.
The tenant must pay the full amount owed or vacate within 30 calendar days of service.
Authority: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01
NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
TO: [Tenant Full Name(s)]
PROPERTY ADDRESS: [Street Address, City, State, ZIP]
UNIT: [Unit/Apt # if applicable]
You are hereby notified that you are in default under your rental agreement for failure to pay
rent now due and owing as follows:
Rent for the period: [Month/Period]
Amount Due: $[TOTAL AMOUNT OWED]
Plus any late fees: $[LATE FEE AMOUNT, if applicable]
TOTAL: $[TOTAL DUE]
Within 30 days from service of this notice, you must EITHER:
(1) Pay the full amount of $[TOTAL DUE] to the landlord at:
[Payment address or instructions]
OR
(2) Vacate and surrender possession of the above premises.
IF YOU FAIL to pay the rent or vacate within 30 days, the landlord will
commence legal eviction proceedings against you and all occupants. You may be held liable
for court costs, attorney fees, and additional rent that continues to accrue.
Date of Notice: [Date]
Landlord/Agent: [Printed Name]
Signature: ___________________________
Address: [Landlord Mailing Address]
Phone: [Phone Number]
30-Day No-Cause Termination Notice Template
Use this template to end a month-to-month tenancy without cause.
Note: District of Columbia requires just cause to terminate most
tenancies. Consult an attorney to confirm you have a qualifying reason before serving this notice.
NOTICE TO VACATE — TERMINATION OF TENANCY
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
TO: [Tenant Full Name(s)]
PROPERTY ADDRESS: [Street Address, City, State, ZIP]
You are hereby given notice that your tenancy of the above-described premises is terminated.
You are required to vacate and surrender possession of the premises on or before:
[DATE — at least 30 days from service of this notice]
The reason for this termination is: [State legally qualifying just cause reason]
If you fail to vacate by the date stated above, the landlord will file an eviction action in
District of Columbia court and seek possession of the premises, court costs,
and any other remedies available under D.C. Code § 42-3505.01.
Date of Notice: [Date]
Landlord/Agent: [Printed Name]
Signature: ___________________________
Address: [Landlord Mailing Address]
Cure-or-Quit Notice Template (Lease Violation)
Use this template when a tenant has violated a term of the lease (e.g., unauthorized pets,
subletting without permission, disturbing neighbors). The tenant has 30 days
to cure the violation or vacate. Note: the exact cure period may differ from the pay-or-quit
period under District of Columbia law — consult your statute for the applicable timeframe.
NOTICE TO CURE OR QUIT
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
TO: [Tenant Full Name(s)]
PROPERTY ADDRESS: [Street Address, City, State, ZIP]
You are hereby notified that you are in violation of your rental agreement as follows:
VIOLATION: [Describe the specific lease violation in detail]
LEASE PROVISION VIOLATED: [Cite the specific lease clause, e.g., Section 7(b)]
Within 30 days from service of this notice, you must EITHER:
(1) CURE the above violation by: [Describe required corrective action]
OR
(2) VACATE and surrender possession of the premises.
Failure to cure the violation or vacate within 30 days will result in the
landlord commencing eviction proceedings in District of Columbia court.
Date of Notice: [Date]
Landlord/Agent: [Printed Name]
Signature: ___________________________
How to Serve an Eviction Notice in District of Columbia
Proper service is as important as the notice itself. An improperly served notice — even one
with correct content — can be thrown out by the court. In District of Columbia,
eviction notices may be served by the following methods:
- Personal delivery: Hand the notice directly to the tenant. This is the
most reliable method and creates an immediate, documented service date.
- Substituted service (posting + mailing): If the tenant cannot be found,
leave a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion at the premises, AND mail a copy to
the tenant by first-class mail. Add extra days if your state requires it for mailed service.
- Posting and mailing: Affix a copy to the main entry door of the unit and
mail a copy via first-class mail to the tenant at the property address. Some jurisdictions
require certified or registered mail.
- Document everything: Keep a signed proof-of-service form showing the date,
time, method, and person who served the notice. Courts require this when you file for eviction.
In District of Columbia, the 30-day period typically
begins the day after the notice is served. If you mail the notice, additional days
(commonly 3–5) may be added to the notice period. Verify this with your local court rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the eviction notice period for nonpayment in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, landlords must give tenants a 30-day pay-or-quit notice under D.C. Code § 42-3505.01 before filing for eviction due to nonpayment of rent. The tenant has 30 days to pay all rent owed or vacate the premises.
Can a landlord give notice to vacate without cause in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia requires just cause to terminate a tenancy. Landlords must cite a legally valid reason (such as nonpayment, lease violation, owner move-in, or substantial renovation) when serving a termination notice. The no-cause notice period is 30 days where just cause applies.
How must an eviction notice be served in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, eviction notices may be served by: (1) personal delivery to the tenant; (2) leaving a copy with a person of suitable age at the premises plus mailing a copy; or (3) posting the notice on the main entry door plus mailing a copy (posting-and-mailing). Check your county's local rules, as some jurisdictions require additional methods or specific language.
What happens if the tenant doesn't comply with the notice in District of Columbia?
If the tenant does not pay the rent owed, cure the lease violation, or vacate within the 30-day notice period, the landlord may file an unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuit in District of Columbia court. The tenant will receive a summons and have an opportunity to respond. If the landlord prevails, the court will issue a writ of possession allowing the sheriff to remove the tenant.
Related Guides for District of Columbia Landlords
Data sourced from District of Columbia published statutes
(D.C. Code § 42-3505.01).
Last updated April 29, 2026. This page is for informational purposes only and does
not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
