District of Columbia Notice to Vacate Rules
District of Columbia rules on notice to vacate for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: Tenant: 30 days' written notice, expiring on the first day of a month at least 30 days after the notice. Landlord: cannot end a residential tenancy just because the lease or month ends; D.C. Code §§ 42-3202(b), 42-3505.01
The rules in District of Columbia
| Ending a month-to-month lease | Tenant: 30 days' written notice, expiring on the first day of a month at least 30 days after the notice. Landlord: cannot end a residential tenancy just because the lease or month ends; may evict only for one of the statutory causes in § 42-3505.01 (e.g., 90 days for owner use or sale, 120 days for renovation, 180 days for demolition or discontinuing housing use). After the lease ends, tenants generally may continue month-to-month on the same terms (OTA Tenant Bill of Rights). Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
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Free calculators
- Notice Deadline Calculator — Enter the date a notice was delivered and see the date it runs out under your state's law.
Templates
Related questions
- How much notice does a landlord have to give to end a lease or not renew?
- What are my rights without a written lease?
- Can a landlord evict you for no reason?
District of Columbia vs. neighboring states
| State | Ending a month-to-month lease |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | Tenant: 30 days' written notice, expiring on the first day of a month at least 30 days after the notice. Landlord: cannot end a residential tenancy just because the lease or month ends; may evict only for one of the statutory causes in § 42-3505.01 (e.g., 90 days for owner use or sale, 120 days for renovation, 180 days for demolition or discontinuing housing use). D.C. Code §§ 42-3202(b), 42-3505.01 |
| Maryland | Landlord: written notice at least 60 days before expiration for month-to-month tenancies and leases for a stated term over 1 week; 90 days for year-to-year; 7 days for week-to-week with a written lease (21 days without one). Tenant: at least 30 days' notice (90 days for year-to-year). Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402(c)(2)-(3) |
| Virginia | Landlord or tenant: written notice at least 30 days before the next rent due date, unless the rental agreement provides a different period. Va. Code 55.1-1253(A) |
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- All District of Columbia landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in District of Columbia
Compare notice to vacate in all 50 states and DC →
District of Columbia Notice to Vacate Rules FAQ
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month lease in District of Columbia?
Tenant: 30 days' written notice, expiring on the first day of a month at least 30 days after the notice. Landlord: cannot end a residential tenancy just because the lease or month ends; may evict only for one of the statutory causes in § 42-3505.01 (e.g., 90 days for owner use or sale, 120 days for renovation, 180 days for demolition or discontinuing housing use). (D.C. Code §§ 42-3202(b), 42-3505.01)
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.