District of Columbia Pay or Quit Notice (Late Rent) (2026): Requirements + Free Template Preview
Demand overdue rent within the state-required period or require the tenant to vacate the property.
The District of Columbia rule
10 days minimum notice
Governing statute: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)(1) · Read the statute ↗
Special rule: 10-day past-due-rent notice (RENTAL Act, D.C. Law 26-80, 2025); eviction for nonpayment generally unavailable if less than $600 is owed.
Data version 2026.07.1, compiled July 2026. Verify with the current statute — laws change, and cities or counties may add stricter requirements.
What a valid District of Columbia nonpayment of rent (pay or quit) notice includes
- • Full names of all tenants and the rental property address
- • The landlord’s name and mailing address
- • The exact amount of rent owed and the deadline to pay or vacate
- • Service at least 10 days before the effective date (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)(1))
- • A certificate of service recording how and when the notice was delivered — courts routinely ask for this
NoticeKit generates all of the above, computes your actual notice period, and warns you — citing D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)(1) — if your dates fall short of the District of Columbia minimum.
Template preview
NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
State of District of Columbia — D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)(1)
TO: [Tenant name(s)]
PREMISES: [Rental property address]
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the rent for the premises described above is due and unpaid. You owe $[amount] and are required to pay by [date] or quit...
[Full notice continues: statutory reference, signature block, and certificate of service — generated in the wizard]
Other District of Columbia notices
Rent Increase
60 days · D.C. Code § 42-3509.04(b)
Lease Non-Renewal / Termination
90 days · D.C. Code § 42-3505.01
Lease Violation (Cure or Quit)
30 days · D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(b)
Nonpayment of Rent (Pay or Quit) notices in other states
NoticeKit is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice. Notice periods shown reflect the main statutory rule as of data version 2026.07.1; tiers, exemptions, and local ordinances may change the requirement for your situation. Verify with the current statute — laws change.