Frequently Asked Questions by Landlords
This resource provides information important for Landlords who are renting a residential apartment or house in the District of Columbia, including information about their responsibilities, raising the rent, security deposits and eviction proceedings.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
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Spanish / Español
Landlords' Responsibilities, Rent, and Security Deposits
This resource contains information about general legal requirements for doing business as a landlord and laws relating to rent and security deposits.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Landlords: Evictions and Defenses
This resource contains information for landlords about proper grounds for eviction and starting eviction proceedings.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
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Spanish / Español
Landlords: Going to Court
This resource contains information for landlords about going to court in an eviction case. It discusses court proceedings, possible responses by tenants, tenant defenses, protective orders and court fees, and settlements.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Appeals and Motions for Reconsideration in Landlord-Tenant Cases
This resource contains frequently asked questions for people who do not agree with decisions made by judges in their Landlord-Tenant cases.
NOTE: These questions do not talk about how to handle default judgments or dismissals entered because you missed a court hearing.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Filing Answers and Counterclaims in Landlord and Tenant Court Explains what an answer is, whether a tenant is required to file an answer, the differences among counterclaims, recoupments, and setoffs, and what a tenant should consider before filing any of them.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Filing Motions in Landlord and Tenant Court Explains the process involved in filing motions, filing fees, serving other parties, and what you should do if you receive a motion.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Initial Return Dates - Your First Day in Court Explains how to find out when a tenant is required to appear in Landlord and Tenant Court, what to expect when the tenant goes to Court, and what to do if the tenant cannot attend on the assigned date.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Judgments, Writs, and Evictions - Information for Landlords Discusses the procedures a landlord is required to follow to have a tenant evicted from a residential rental property.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Landlords: Judgments, Writs, and the Eviction Process
This resource contains information for landlords who have obtained a judgment for possession from Landlord and Tenant Court to evict a tenant. It explains the eviction process and how to obtain a money judgment for back rent.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Protective Orders - Paying Rent to the Court Registry Discusses what protective orders are and how they work, including what happens if a tenant misses a payment under a protective order and the impact of housing code violations on the amount a tenant is required to pay.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Proving Your Case in Landlord and Tenant Court - Evidence and Subpoenas Discusses the kinds of evidence you can use in Landlord and Tenant Court and how to use subpoenas to obtain information and call witnesses.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Settlement and Mediation in Landlord and Tenant Court Provides information about the options of settlement and mediation as alternatives to trials in landlord and tenant cases. Also explains the difference between a settlement and a Form 4 payment plan.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Trials in Landlord and Tenant Court Discusses what happens at a trial in Landlord and Tenant Court, the difference between a bench trial and a jury trial, and how to prepare for a trial.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
Washington DC Tenant Survival Guide This guide provides a wide-ranging discussion of issues relevant to tenants in the District of Columbia. Some of the topics covered include:
- Leases
- Security Deposits
- Repairs
- Renter's Insurance
- Evictions
- Rent Control
- Public Housing
By: Harrison Institute for Public Law in conjunction with the District of Columbia Office of the Tenant Advocate
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
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LawHelp.org/DC is a project of the D.C. Consortium of Legal Service Providers with financial support provided by the D.C. Bar Foundation and the Legal Services Corporation.
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