D.C. Code tit. 16 § 16-1501
Definition; summons.
Operative Text
(a) When a person detains possession of real property without right, or after his right to possession has ceased, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, on complaint under oath verified by the person aggrieved by the detention, or by his agent or attorney having knowledge of the facts, may issue a summons in English and Spanish to the party complained of to appear and show cause why judgment should not be given against him for the restitution of possession. (b) A person aggrieved shall not file a complaint seeking restitution of possession pursuant to this section for nonpayment of rent in an amount less than $600. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the person aggrieved from filing a complaint to recover the amount owed. (c) (1) A person aggrieved shall not file a complaint seeking restitution of possession pursuant to this section without a valid rental registration or claim of exemption pursuant to § 42-3502.05 , and a current license for rental housing issued pursuant to § 47-2828(c)(1), as certified at the time of filing and documented at the initial hearing. (2) The Court may waive the requirements for a current license for rental housing in this subsection if the person aggrieved can demonstrate that they were unable to obtain or renew a current rental housing license due to extenuating circumstances, including a medical emergency, agency delay, or a circumstance in which a tenant or occupant denies permission for a required pre-license inspection or required repairs. (3) The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to complaints involving subtenants. (d) At the initial hearing for any complaint for possession, if the complaint does not allege sufficient facts or the person aggrieved has not produced sufficient documentation to meet all requirements under District law, the Court may, in its discretion when weighing the prejudice to all parties, dismiss the complaint or provide leave for the complainant to correct any deficiencies. (e) Subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall not apply to complaints involving commercial tenants.
D.C. Code § 16-1501 et seq. establishes the legal process by which a property owner or other aggrieved party may seek court-ordered return of real property from someone who is occupying it without a legal right to do so. The Superior Court of the District of Columbia can issue a bilingual (English and Spanish) summons requiring the occupant to appear and explain why possession should not be restored to the complainant. Importantly, the law sets threshold requirements before such a complaint may be filed: the unpaid rent must be at least $600 to seek eviction for nonpayment, and the landlord must hold a valid rental registration and a current rental housing license at the time of filing. These prerequisites do not apply to complaints involving commercial tenants or subtenants in certain circumstances.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 16-1501 et seq., operators of residential rental properties in the District of Columbia generally maintain a valid rental registration under § 42-3502.05 and a current rental housing license under § 47-2828(c)(1) before initiating any eviction proceeding. Compliant landlords also confirm that any nonpayment-of-rent claim meets the $600 minimum threshold before filing for restitution of possession, while remaining aware that a separate money-judgment complaint for amounts below that threshold is still available. At the initial hearing, the court may dismiss a complaint or allow time to cure deficiencies if required documentation is incomplete, so maintaining organized records of registration and licensure is a practice commonly associated with smooth proceedings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 16-1501 et seq. provides tenants with meaningful procedural protections against eviction actions: a landlord cannot file for restitution of possession based on nonpayment of rent unless the alleged unpaid amount is at least $600, and the landlord must hold a valid rental registration and current rental housing license at the time of filing. Tenants facing an eviction complaint may raise the landlord's failure to meet these requirements as a defense at the initial hearing, where the court has discretion to dismiss a complaint that lacks sufficient facts or documentation. Tenants who believe these requirements have not been met may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with D.C. housing law for guidance on how these protections apply generally.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation