District of Columbia Just-cause eviction

Does a landlord need just cause to evict in District of Columbia?

Yes. A tenant who keeps paying the rent owed cannot be evicted, even after the lease ends, except for the reasons listed in the law, and every eviction notice must state the reasons. Code text: "no tenant shall be evicted from a rental unit, notwithstanding the expiration of the tenant's lease or rental agreement, so long as the tenant continues to pay the rent to which the housing provider is entitled for the rental unit."

Verified Source: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a) · last checked 2026-10-16