District of Columbia Lease Termination Letter (2026)

A notice to end a month-to-month or expiring lease, from either the landlord or the tenant, with the notice period, just-cause ground and delivery rules your state requires.

Updated September 2026≈ 4 minReviewed against D.C. Code § 42-3505.01 · D.C. Code § 42-3202 · 50 U.S.C. § 3955; D.C. Code § 42-3505.07

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What you'll get

Sample first page of the Lease Termination Letter. Your answers fill in the blanks; the clauses required in District of Columbia are added automatically.

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What this document covers

Notice from tenant or from landlord
Month-to-month, week-to-week or expiring fixed term
State notice period and earliest lawful end date
Just-cause ground where the state requires one
Termination date at the end of a rental period
Forwarding address for the deposit return
Move-out inspection request
Delivery method and proof of delivery
Good Cause Eviction Law statement (New York)

District of Columbia rules that this document follows

Month-to-month notice	Landlord: by ground — Owner will personally occupy the unit (90 days); Contract purchaser will personally occupy the unit (90 days); Substantial rehabilitation approved by the Rent Administrator (120 days); Demolition (180 days); Discontinuance of housing use (180 days); Tenant: 30 daysSource: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01 (landlord may terminate only for statutory cause); tenant 30 days (D.C. Code § 42-3202)
Week-to-week notice	7 daysSource: D.C. Code § 42-3202 (tenant); landlord requires cause
Just cause required for landlord	YesSource: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01 (enumerated grounds; 90-day notice for owner personal use; 120–180 days for renovation/demolition/discontinuance)
Permitted delivery methods	Hand delivery; Leaving with a person of suitable age at the premises + first-class mail; Posting on the entry door + first-class mail; Certified mail, return receipt requested
Early-termination rights	Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; Victim of intrafamily offense, sexual assault or stalking (14 days' notice)Source: 50 U.S.C. § 3955; D.C. Code § 42-3505.07
Statute	D.C. Code § 42-3505.01; § 42-3202

Rules current as of 2026-10-27. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.

How to use this Lease Termination Letter in District of Columbia

Deliver the notice by a method District of Columbia allows and keep proof of the date — the notice period runs from delivery, not from the date you wrote it. The wizard computes the earliest lawful termination date.

Tenants: give a forwarding address in the letter so the deposit deadline starts running. Landlords: select the statutory ground and state the supporting facts; do not accept rent beyond the termination date unless you intend to continue the tenancy.

Frequently asked questions

How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in District of Columbia?

Tenant: 30 days; landlord: depends on the ground (see the rules on this page) (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01). The landlord also needs a statutory ground. A written lease may require more.

Can a tenant break a lease early?

Only under the lease's early-termination clause or a statutory right: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; Victim of intrafamily offense, sexual assault or stalking (14 days' notice). Otherwise the tenant remains liable for rent, subject to the landlord's duty to mitigate.

Other names

notice to vacate
30 day notice
move out notice
notice of intent to vacate
lease non-renewal letter
end of tenancy letter
notice to terminate tenancy
move-out letter to landlord

Other states

FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.