D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3507.03
Payments.
Operative Text
(a) Until the Mayor establishes the amount of relocation assistance pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the amount of relocation assistance payable to a displaced tenant shall be calculated as follows: (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, relocation assistance in the amount of $300 for each room in the rental unit shall be payable to the tenants or subtenants bearing the cost of removing the majority of the furnishings. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “room” in a rental unit means any space 60 square feet or larger which has a fixed ceiling and a floor and is subdivided with fixed partitions on all sides, but does not mean bathrooms, balconies, closets, pantries, kitchens, foyers, hallways, storage areas, utility rooms, or the like. (2) Relocation assistance in the amount of $150 for each pantry, kitchen, storage area, and utility room that exceeds 60 square feet in area shall be payable to the tenants or subtenants bearing the cost of removing the majority of the furnishings. (b) The Mayor shall establish the amount to be paid tenants for relocation assistance within 30 days of June 22, 2006. Thereafter, the Mayor shall, by rule, adjust the amount to be paid tenants for relocation assistance not more than once every 12 months and not less than once every 3 years. The amount of relocation assistance shall reflect the cost of moving, including transporting personal property, packing and unpacking, insurance of property while in transit, storage of personal property, the disconnection and re-connection of utilities, and any other reasonable factor, within the Washington-Baltimore Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area. (c) Relocation assistance shall be paid to eligible tenants not later than 24 hours before the date the rental unit is to be vacated by the tenants or subtenants, if the housing provider has received at least 10 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, advance written notice of the date upon which the unit is to be vacated. Where the tenant does not provide the housing provider with at least a 10-day notice, the relocation assistance shall be paid within 30 days after the unit is vacated. (d) Payment of relocation assistance shall not be required with respect to any rental unit which is the subject of an outstanding judgment for possession obtained by the housing provider or housing provider’s predecessor in interest against the tenants or subtenants for a cause of action whether the cause of action arises before or after the service of the notice of intention to rehabilitate, demolish, or discontinue housing use. If the judgment for possession is based upon nonpayment of rent and arises after the notice of intent to rehabilitate, demolish, or discontinue housing use has been given, then relocation assistance shall be required in an amount reduced by the amount determined to be due and owing to the housing provider by the court rendering the judgment for possession.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq. § 42-3507.03, when a tenant is displaced from a rental unit, the housing provider is required to pay relocation assistance calculated by room size and type — generally $300 per qualifying room and $150 for certain utility or kitchen spaces exceeding 60 square feet, until the Mayor sets updated amounts by rule. The Mayor is directed to establish and periodically revise these figures to reflect actual moving costs within the Washington-Baltimore metro area. Payment timing depends on how much advance notice the tenant gives, and the obligation can be reduced or eliminated if a court judgment for possession exists against the tenant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing providers subject to D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq. § 42-3507.03 generally calculate relocation assistance using the per-room and per-qualifying-space formula — or any updated amounts the Mayor has established by rule — and deliver payment no later than 24 hours before the vacate date when at least 10 business days' written notice has been received. Operators typically document the size and classification of each space in the unit to ensure accurate calculation, and retain records of any outstanding court judgments for possession that may affect the payment obligation. Where a judgment for nonpayment of rent arose after a notice of intent to rehabilitate or demolish was served, the assistance amount is reduced by the court-determined amount owed, not eliminated entirely.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq. § 42-3507.03, displaced tenants are generally entitled to relocation assistance paid before they vacate, provided they give the housing provider at least 10 business days' written notice of the vacate date. Tenants who believe they have not received the correct amount — or that payment was improperly withheld based on a claimed judgment for possession — may consider contacting the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available complaint and enforcement paths. Keeping written records of the vacate notice, the unit's room layout, and any communications about payment can be useful when pursuing a claim 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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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