Washington DC Notice to Vacate

Date of Notice: [[Notice Date]]

To (Tenant and All Occupants):
[[Tenant Name]]
And all other occupants residing at the premises

Premises Address:
[[Property Address]]
Washington, DC

From (Landlord / Housing Provider):
[[Landlord Name]]
Mailing Address for Notices: [[Landlord Mailing Address]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone]] | Email: [[Landlord Email]]

NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF TENANCY

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, pursuant to DC Code § 42-3505.01 and related provisions of the Rental Housing Act of 1985, as amended by the Tenant Protection Amendment Act and other applicable law, that your tenancy of the above-described Premises is terminated and you are required to vacate and surrender possession of the Premises on or before [[Vacate By Date]] (the "Vacate Date").

This is the required written notice to vacate. Failure to vacate by the Vacate Date may result in the housing provider filing an action for possession in the Landlord and Tenant Branch of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

Lease and Tenancy Information - Lease Start Date: [[Lease Start Date]] - Lease End Date (if fixed term): [[Lease End Date]] - Current Tenancy Status: Month-to-month / Holdover / End of fixed term as applicable - Reason for this Notice: [[Reason for Vacate]]

Legal Basis, Just Cause Requirement Under DC Code § 42-3505.01, a housing provider may recover possession of a rental unit only for one or more of the following just causes (non-exhaustive list of common grounds; specific facts must be stated):

1. Non-payment of rent after proper demand or notice.

2. Material violation of the lease or rental agreement that has not been cured after notice.

3. Nuisance, damage, or interference with the rights of other tenants or neighbors.

4. Illegal activity on or near the premises by the tenant or persons under the tenant's control.

5. Personal use and occupancy by the housing provider (natural person owner) or qualifying immediate family member, requires 90-day notice in most cases.

6. Sale of the rental unit to a purchaser who intends to occupy it as a primary residence (subject to additional rules and disclosures).

7. Renovation or rehabilitation that cannot be performed with tenant in occupancy, with required permits and plans.

8. Withdrawal of the unit from the rental market (subject to specific procedures).

9. Other grounds specifically authorized by DC Code § 42-3505.01 or regulations.

The exact ground(s) for this termination are stated in the Reason for Vacate section above. Supporting facts and documentation are available upon request or attached hereto.

Required Notice Period Minimum 30-day written notice is required for most terminations under DC Code § 42-3505.01. Certain grounds, including personal use and occupancy by the owner, require a 90-day notice to vacate.

1. The Vacate By Date listed above provides at least the minimum statutory notice period calculated from the date of proper service of this notice.

2. Notice periods are calculated in calendar days. Service must be completed properly.

3. For month-to-month tenancies, this notice also serves to terminate the periodic tenancy.

4. If the tenancy is for a fixed term that has not yet expired, this notice is provided in addition to any lease-end provisions and does not waive other remedies.

Tenant Protections DC's Tenant Protection Amendment Act and Rental Housing Act provide strong protections:

• Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing property without court order) are strictly prohibited and may result in penalties, damages, and attorney's fees.

• Retaliatory eviction or notices are unlawful.

• Victims of intrafamily offenses (domestic violence) may have defenses and relocation rights in certain cases.

• Tenants may raise defenses including improper notice, lack of just cause, or housing code violations in any court proceeding.

• Housing provider must maintain habitable premises until possession is recovered through lawful process.

Proof of Service I certify that I served this Notice to Vacate on the tenant(s) named above as follows:

Date Served: [[Notice Date]]
Time: [[Time of Service]] AM/PM
Method (check one):

• [ ] Personal delivery to [[Tenant Name]] at the Premises.
• [ ] Substituted service: Left with a person of suitable age and discretion at the Premises (name/relation: ________________) and mailed first-class copy to the Premises address on the same day.
• [ ] Posting in a conspicuous place on the Premises and first-class mailing a copy to the tenant at the Premises on [[Mailing Date]].

Server Signature: _______________________________
Printed Name: [[Server or Landlord Name]]
Capacity: Landlord / Authorized Agent / Property Manager / Process Server

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed in Washington, DC on [[Notice Date]].

Additional Requirements and Tenant Rights Notice - This notice must specify the exact ground for termination. - For certain no-fault or personal-use terminations, additional affidavits or filings with the Rent Administrator may be required before or at the time of filing for possession. - Tenants should retain a copy of this notice and all related correspondence. - If you have questions about your rights, contact the DC Office of Tenant Advocate, a legal services provider, or the Rental Housing Commission.

Signatures

Housing Provider / Landlord

[[Landlord Name]]

Signature: [[Landlord Signature]]
Date: [[Notice Date]]

Printed Name / Title: [[Landlord Name]]

Tenant Copy / Acknowledgment of Receipt

Received a copy of this Notice to Vacate on ________________ (date).

Signature: _______________________________
Printed Name: [[Tenant Name]], -

Sources and Legal References (as of June 2026):
- DC Code § 42-3505.01 (Evictions, just cause requirements and notice periods)
- DC Code § 42-3202 (Notices to quit)
- Tenant Protection Amendment Act
- Rental Housing Act of 1985 (DC Code § 42-3501 et seq.)
- 14 DCMR regulations governing notices to vacate and evictions
- Official forms and guidance from DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Rental Housing Commission (RHC)

This document is a template for workflow and illustrative purposes only. It is not legal advice. Notice periods, just cause applicability, service methods, and any relocation or affidavit requirements must be confirmed against the current DC Code, applicable regulations, and the specific facts of the tenancy. Consult the Rental Housing Commission, qualified counsel, or DHCD before using or acting upon this notice. Laws and rules may be updated by legislation or rulemaking. Information current as of June 2026.

Primary Sources:
- D.C. Official Code Title 42, Chapter 35
- rhc.dc.gov and dhcd.dc.gov publications, forms (including Form 12 for personal use 90-day notices)
- Superior Court Landlord and Tenant Branch procedures

Recommended Enclosures / Attachments:
- Affidavit of personal use or ownership interest (for applicable grounds)
- Supporting documentation for the stated reason (lease violations, court records, renovation permits, etc.)
- Copy of current lease or rental agreement
- Proof of registration or rent control status of the housing accommodation