Washington, DC Rental Property Rules: Relocation Assistance (2026)

C. 01 requires written notice served on every tenant advising them of the right to relocation assistance and how to apply; the Rental Housing Commission sets the notice's content, and no tenant may be evicted for this purpose until the notice requirement is met. 01 notice was given and who are displaced because the accommodation is being substantially rehabilitated, demolished, or discontinued. 03(a) sets the payment at $300 for each qualifying room (60 square feet or larger, fixed ceiling, floor, and partitions, excluding bathrooms, closets, balconies, foyers, and hallways) paid to whoever bears the cost of moving the furnishings, plus $150 for each oversized pantry, kitchen, storage area, or utility room exceeding 60 square feet.

The Mayor may adjust these amounts by rule no more than once every 12 months and no less than once every 3 years, based on Washington-Baltimore area moving costs. Payment is due no later than 24 hours before the unit must be vacated if the provider received at least 10 business days' notice of the move-out date; otherwise payment is due within 30 days after the unit is vacated. Payment is not required where the provider already holds a judgment for possession against the tenant, though a judgment based on nonpayment of rent arising after the relocation notice reduces the payment by the amount owed under that judgment.

04 additionally requires the Relocation Assistance Office within the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide relocation advisory services, including identifying each household's relocation needs and supplying information on substitute housing and federal/District housing programs.