District of Columbia Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (10-Day)
Create a free District of Columbia notice to pay rent or quit. District of Columbia requires a 10-day notice to pay rent or quit. Fill in the details, preview it live, and download a PDF or email it.
District of Columbia requirement
District of Columbia requires a 10-day notice to pay rent or quit. Calendar days. The pre-filing notice is "at least 10 days before filing the claim" (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)(1)), as amended by D.C. Law 26-80 (RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025), § 101(b)(1), effective Dec. 31, 2025, which struck "at least 30 days" and inserted "at least 10 days." The housing provider may NOT issue the notice (and cannot file) unless unpaid rent is at least $600. Nonpayment of a late fee cannot be the basis for eviction. NOTE: the (Perm) codified text and the official DHCD RAD Form 10 still display 30 days and have not been updated to reflect the 2025 amendment — the in-force statutory number is 10 days as of June 2026.
Tenant Name(s)
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⚠ District of Columbia requires a 10-day notice for a notice to pay rent or quit; the count runs from the date of SERVICE, and some states exclude weekends/holidays — verify before relying on a date. Calendar days. The pre-filing notice is "at least 10 days before filing the claim" (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)(1)), as amended by D.C. Law 26-80 (RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025), § 101(b)(1), effective Dec. 31, 2025, which struck "at least 30 days" and inserted "at least 10 days." The housing provider may NOT issue the notice (and cannot file) unless unpaid rent is at least $600. Nonpayment of a late fee cannot be the basis for eviction. NOTE: the (Perm) codified text and the official DHCD RAD Form 10 still display 30 days and have not been updated to reflect the 2025 amendment — the in-force statutory number is 10 days as of June 2026.
Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (District of Columbia)
NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
Date of Notice: ________________
From (Landlord/Agent): [LANDLORD/AGENT NAME], [LANDLORD ADDRESS]
To: [TENANT NAME(S)], Tenant(s) in possession of: [PROPERTY ADDRESS]
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that rent is now due and unpaid in the amount of $________. This amount is for unpaid RENT only and excludes late fees, utilities, and other charges unless your state and lease allow them.
You are required to PAY the full amount of rent due within 10 days after this notice is served on you, OR to vacate and surrender possession of the property. Payment must be made to [LANDLORD/AGENT NAME] at [LANDLORD ADDRESS], by cash, check, or money order. If you mail payment, it must be RECEIVED by the deadline.
If you do not comply with this notice within the time stated, the landlord may begin legal proceedings to recover possession of the property under D.C. Code § 42-3505.01 (Evictions); 10-day nonpayment notice per D.C. Law 26-80 (RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025), § 101(b)(1), eff. Dec. 31, 2025, amending § 42-3505.01(a-1)(1).
Only a court can order you to move out. The landlord may NOT lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off your utilities; doing so is illegal.
This notice is given without waiving, and the landlord expressly reserves, all other rights and remedies, including the right to recover unpaid rent and damages.
How this notice may be served: For nonpayment, the Notice of Past Due Rent / intent to file must be served by certified mail or a delivery service providing delivery-tracking confirmation (return receipt requested) AND by hand delivery to the rental unit or posting on the front door of the unit. Other notices to vacate are filed with the court and copies served on the tenant; many notices must also be filed with the Rent Administrator (DHCD/RAD). DHCD publishes mandatory RAD notice forms (e.g., Form 10 nonpayment, Form 11 illegal act). CAUTION: the published DHCD RAD Form 10 still states a 30-day pay period and lags the Dec. 31, 2025 RENTAL Act amendment that reduced the statutory pre-filing notice to 10 days.
_______________________________________
[LANDLORD/AGENT NAME] — Landlord / Authorized Agent
[LANDLORD ADDRESS]
Date: ________________
PROOF OF SERVICE
I served this notice on the tenant(s) on ____________ (date).
Method of service (use a method permitted in your state — see the service note above):
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________ Date: ____________
Signature of person serving the notice
Email yourself a copy (PDF)
Self-help template, not legal advice. You cannot remove a tenant yourself — serve a proper notice and, if needed, file in court. Confirm District of Columbia and local rules first.
District of Columbia Notice to Pay Rent or Quit Rules
A Notice to Pay Rent or Quit is the first step a landlord takes when a tenant has not paid rent. It demands that the tenant pay the full amount owed within the state's required number of days or move out, before the landlord can file for eviction.
District of Columbia requires a 10-day notice to pay rent or quit. Calendar days. The pre-filing notice is "at least 10 days before filing the claim" (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)(1)), as amended by D.C. Law 26-80 (RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025), § 101(b)(1), effective Dec. 31, 2025, which struck "at least 30 days" and inserted "at least 10 days." The housing provider may NOT issue the notice (and cannot file) unless unpaid rent is at least $600. Nonpayment of a late fee cannot be the basis for eviction. NOTE: the (Perm) codified text and the official DHCD RAD Form 10 still display 30 days and have not been updated to reflect the 2025 amendment — the in-force statutory number is 10 days as of June 2026. The notice is served under D.C. Code § 42-3505.01 (Evictions); 10-day nonpayment notice per D.C. Law 26-80 (RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025), § 101(b)(1), eff. Dec. 31, 2025, amending § 42-3505.01(a-1)(1).
How to Serve a Notice to Pay Rent or Quit in District of Columbia
For nonpayment, the Notice of Past Due Rent / intent to file must be served by certified mail or a delivery service providing delivery-tracking confirmation (return receipt requested) AND by hand delivery to the rental unit or posting on the front door of the unit. Other notices to vacate are filed with the court and copies served on the tenant; many notices must also be filed with the Rent Administrator (DHCD/RAD). DHCD publishes mandatory RAD notice forms (e.g., Form 10 nonpayment, Form 11 illegal act). CAUTION: the published DHCD RAD Form 10 still states a 30-day pay period and lags the Dec. 31, 2025 RENTAL Act amendment that reduced the statutory pre-filing notice to 10 days. A defective notice or improper service can get an eviction dismissed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days is a District of Columbia notice to pay rent or quit?
District of Columbia requires a 10-day notice to pay rent or quit. Calendar days. The pre-filing notice is "at least 10 days before filing the claim" (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)(1)), as amended by D.C. Law 26-80 (RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025), § 101(b)(1), effective Dec. 31, 2025, which struck "at least 30 days" and inserted "at least 10 days." The housing provider may NOT issue the notice (and cannot file) unless unpaid rent is at least $600. Nonpayment of a late fee cannot be the basis for eviction. NOTE: the (Perm) codified text and the official DHCD RAD Form 10 still display 30 days and have not been updated to reflect the 2025 amendment — the in-force statutory number is 10 days as of June 2026.
What happens after I serve the notice?
If the tenant does not comply by the deadline, you can file an eviction case in District of Columbia court. Only a court order, enforced by a sheriff or constable, can remove the tenant.
Can I email or download the notice?
Yes — fill in the form above, then download the PDF or email a copy to yourself. Serve it on the tenant using a method District of Columbia allows.
Disclaimer
This District of Columbia notice to pay rent or quit generator is a self-help tool for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Confirm District of Columbia and local requirements before serving.