D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3215
Landlord’s lien for rent — When attachment issuable; executing officer’s power of entry.
Operative Text
Such attachment may be issued in any action for the recovery of the possession of the leased premises by the landlord, in which the rent in arrear, or double rent, or both, shall be claimed as aforesaid, and it shall be lawful for any officer to whom the writ of attachment shall be delivered to be executed to break open an outer or inner door when necessary to the execution of the same.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3215, when a landlord brings an action to recover possession of leased premises and also claims unpaid rent, double rent, or both, a writ of attachment may be issued as part of that legal proceeding. The provision further authorizes the officer tasked with executing that writ to forcibly enter an outer or inner door if doing so is necessary to carry out the attachment. This is a court-driven process, not a self-help remedy available to landlords acting on their own.
Plain English — not legal advice.
D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3215 makes clear that the attachment mechanism is tied to a formal court action for possession in which rent arrears or double rent are also claimed — it is not a tool landlords may deploy independently. Compliant operators pursuing overdue rent through this process work within the judicial system, obtaining the appropriate writ before any officer takes action on the property. Keeping thorough records of rent owed and lease terms is a standard practice that supports such proceedings if they become necessary.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3215 grants an officer executing a court-issued writ of attachment the authority to break open doors when necessary, but only within the context of a formal legal action — not as a unilateral landlord act. Tenants who believe an entry or attachment was carried out without proper court authorization may have grounds to raise that issue as a defense in the related proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations in the District of Columbia can help explain what procedural protections apply and what options are generally available when a writ of attachment is involved.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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