In the District of Columbia, you must give the tenant notice of your intent to file a nonpayment eviction claim at least 10 days before filing. You may not issue that notice, and you may not file, if less than $600 is owed.
Worked example for District of Columbia
Example: A tenant owes $800 in unpaid rent. You give written notice of intent to file on May 1, 2026. You must wait at least 10 days after that notice before filing, so you may not file before May 11, 2026. If the unpaid rent were $500, you would not issue that notice, and you would not file, because less than $600 is owed.
District of Columbia timelines and limits
Notice before filing
At least 10 days before filing a nonpayment eviction claim
Amount below $600
No such notice, and no filing
District of Columbia FAQ
How much notice does a D.C. landlord have to give before filing a nonpayment eviction?
Notice of intent to file at least 10 days before filing, under D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1).
Is there a minimum amount that must be owed?
Yes. You shall not issue that notice if the unpaid rent is less than $600, and there is no filing in that case.
What kind of notice is required?
Notice of the housing provider's intent to file a claim to recover possession of a rental unit for the non-payment of rent.
This is general information, not legal advice. The verified rule and official sources above control. Check the source or a local attorney for your situation.
Related District of Columbia rules
Eviction court process & timeline
An eviction case starts with a Superior Court summons, which must be served at least 14 days before the initial hearing. Statute text: "(a) The summons provided for by section 16-1501 shall be served at least 14 days before the day fixed for the initial hearing of the action." (D.C. Code § 16–1502).
The D.C. Superior Court Landlord and Tenant Branch charges $15 to file a complaint. A writ of restitution costs $213 ($10 court fee, $195 U.S. Marshal fee and $8 Marshal administrative fee).
A tenant who keeps paying the rent owed may be evicted only on the grounds the law allows, and at the time of an eviction the landlord must change the locks in the presence of the U.S. Marshals. A housing provider may not remove an evicted tenant's belongings except under the statute's storage rules. The D.C. Court of Appeals has held self-help eviction unlawful (Mendes v. Johnson, 1978); that point comes from case law, not the Code.
Housing providers may not retaliate against tenants for exercising legal rights, including through eviction attempts, rent increases, service cuts, harassment or refusal to renew. If the tenant made a repair request, complained to an agency, joined a tenant organization or did certain other acts within the 6 months before the action, retaliation is presumed. The housing provider must rebut it with clear and convincing evidence.
There is no D.C. Code provision on rent withholding or escrow in D.C. Code title 42, chapters 32 and 35. Full-text search (code.dccouncil.gov full-chapter pages).
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