D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3208
Parties may agree to alternate notice provisions; waiver.
Operative Text
Nothing herein contained shall be construed as preventing the parties to a lease, by agreement in writing, from substituting a longer or shorter notice to quit than is above provided or to waive all such notice.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3208, the default notice-to-quit periods established elsewhere in the statute are not absolute — parties to a lease may mutually agree in writing to use a longer or shorter notice period, or even to waive the notice requirement entirely. This provision preserves contractual flexibility while keeping any such modification subject to a written agreement between both parties. The rule neither mandates a change to the default periods nor prohibits parties from sticking with the statutory defaults.
Plain English — not legal advice.
D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3208 gives property owners and managers the ability to negotiate notice-to-quit terms that differ from the statutory defaults, provided any such modification is documented in writing within the lease or a written addendum. Compliant operators typically ensure that any agreed-upon notice period — whether longer, shorter, or waived entirely — is clearly spelled out in the written lease so there is no ambiguity about what both parties have accepted. Keeping thorough written records of any departure from the default notice requirements is a standard practice for operators working under this provision.
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. § 42-3208 means that if a lease contains a written clause altering or waiving the standard notice-to-quit period, that clause may be legally binding on both parties. Tenants should review their lease carefully to understand whether a modified or waived notice period applies to their tenancy, since the statutory default may not govern if a written agreement says otherwise. If there is uncertainty about how a lease clause interacts with this provision, tenant-rights organizations in the District of Columbia can help explain available options and enforcement paths, including raising a notice-related issue as a defense in a proceeding.
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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