D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3203
Tenancy at will.
Operative Text
A tenancy at will may be terminated by 30 days notice in writing by either landlord or tenant.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3203, a tenancy at will — a rental arrangement without a fixed end date — can be brought to a close by either the landlord or the tenant by providing the other party with at least 30 days' written notice. Neither side may end the arrangement without giving this notice, and either side holds the same right to initiate termination. The rule establishes a minimum procedural requirement rather than specifying any particular form the written notice must take.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under a tenancy-at-will arrangement in the District of Columbia should be aware that D.C. Code § 42-3203 requires a written notice of at least 30 days before termination can take effect. Compliant operators generally document the delivery of such notice and retain records confirming the tenant received it. Because a tenancy at will can also be ended by the tenant on the same 30-day written notice, operators typically maintain clear communication channels so that tenant-initiated notices are promptly received and recorded.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3203 gives tenants in a tenancy-at-will arrangement the right to end the tenancy by providing 30 days' written notice to the landlord, and it equally requires the landlord to give tenants that same 30-day written notice before terminating the arrangement. If a landlord attempts to end a tenancy at will without providing the required written notice, tenants may have grounds to raise that failure as a defense in any eviction or related proceeding. Tenants who have questions about whether proper notice was given can consult a tenant-rights organization or seek guidance from the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate.
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.
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