District of Columbia Notice to Pay Rent or Quit Template

What a District of Columbia notice to pay rent or quit must include under District of Columbia law, and a fill-in draft that follows those rules.

What District of Columbia law requires

At least 10 days before filing, a written notice of intent to file, only if $600 or more is owed (no eviction for unpaid late fees). Must contain the statutory language or substantively similar: the specific total rent owed; an attached ledger of charges and payments for the delinquency period; the right to stay if the balance is paid in full; that the landlord may sue only if $600+ is owed and unpaid; the right to defend in court and that only a court can order eviction; and phone numbers for the Office of the Tenant Advocate (202-719-6560) and the Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network (202-780-2575). Delivery: certified mail or tracked delivery service with return receipt, AND hand delivery to the unit or posting on the front door. Posting requires a timestamped photo filed with the court; notice must be translated if the landlord knows the tenant's primary language is another covered language.

Source: D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.01(a), (a-1); 16-1501(b)

The statutory text still tells the tenant they may pay 'within 30 days of this notice' although the waiting period was cut to 10 days by D.C. Law 26-80 (eff. Dec. 31, 2025). The Rental Housing Commission's proposed rule (14 DCMR § 4300.7(c), Apr. 3, 2026; not final as of October 2026) would require the notice to say the landlord may file 10 days after service.

Fill-in draft

Replace every [bracketed] item. If your state or city requires specific wording, a specific form, or a translated version, that requirement controls over this draft. Courts dismiss eviction cases over defective notices — if anything is unclear, talk to a lawyer.

NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT

To: [tenant name(s)] and all other occupants

Premises: [street address, unit, city, state, ZIP]

You owe rent of $[amount] for [rental period(s)].

Under D.C. Code §§ 42-3505.01(a)(1), (a-1); 16-1501, you must pay the full amount within 10 days after this notice is delivered, or move out of the premises.

Pay to: [name], at [address / payment method], between [hours].

If you do not pay or move out by the deadline, the landlord may file an eviction case in court. Only a court can order you to leave.

Date: [date]
Landlord or agent: [name, address, phone]
Signature: ____________________

Proof of delivery: Delivered on [date] by [method required by District of Columbia law] by [name].

← All District of Columbia landlord-tenant rules

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.