D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3507.01
Notice of right to assistance.
Operative Text
No housing provider shall substantially rehabilitate, demolish, or discontinue any housing accommodation unless there has first been served upon each tenant residing in the housing accommodation a written notice of intent to rehabilitate, demolish, or discontinue the housing accommodation in accordance with § 42-3505.01(f) , (g), (h), or (i), as appropriate. The notice shall advise the tenants of their right to relocation assistance under this chapter or any other District law, and the procedures for applying for the assistance. The Rental Housing Commission shall prescribe the content of the notice. No tenant may be evicted from a housing accommodation which the housing provider intends to substantially rehabilitate, demolish, or discontinue housing use, or which the housing provider intends to sell to another person who, to the housing provider’s knowledge, intends to substantially rehabilitate, demolish, or discontinue housing use, unless the requirements of this section have been met. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to limit a housing provider’s right to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent or violation of an obligation of the tenancy, if the action to evict is in compliance with § 42-3505.01 .
Under D.C. Code § 42-3507.01, housing providers in the District of Columbia are prohibited from substantially rehabilitating, demolishing, or discontinuing a housing accommodation without first serving each resident tenant with a written notice of intent. That notice must inform tenants of their right to relocation assistance under District law and explain how to apply for it, with the Rental Housing Commission setting the required content. No eviction tied to rehabilitation, demolition, discontinuation of housing use, or a planned sale to someone intending those actions may proceed unless these notice requirements have been fully satisfied, though the provision does not shield tenants from eviction for unrelated reasons such as nonpayment of rent.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing providers subject to D.C. Code § 42-3507.01 generally ensure that a written notice of intent—covering rehabilitation, demolition, or discontinuation of housing use—is served on every affected tenant before any such project begins, in accordance with the timelines set out in § 42-3505.01(f) through (i). Compliant operators use notice language that meets the content standards prescribed by the Rental Housing Commission, including information about relocation assistance and application procedures. Providers who plan to sell a property to a buyer known to intend substantial rehabilitation, demolition, or discontinuation of housing use are also expected to satisfy these notice requirements before any eviction action proceeds.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3507.01 gives tenants the right to receive a formal written notice before a housing provider may evict them in connection with substantial rehabilitation, demolition, discontinuation of housing use, or a sale to a buyer known to intend those actions. That notice must describe available relocation assistance under District law and explain how to apply, with content standards set by the Rental Housing Commission. Tenants who believe this notice was not properly served may have grounds to raise the unmet requirement as a defense in eviction proceedings, and tenant-rights organizations in the District can help residents understand the options available to them under this provision.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation