District of Columbia Abandoned property

What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in District of Columbia?

At least 21 days before an eviction, the housing provider must notify the tenant by phone or electronic message, first-class mail and posting. The notice must warn that property left behind is deemed abandoned 7 days after the eviction, excluding Sundays and federal holidays. Evicted tenants' property may be removed only as this section allows.

Verified Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01a · last checked 2026-10-15