Eviction filing in the District of Columbia
Evictions API is a sandbox beta, in test mode only. This page explains how eviction filing is planned to work in the District of Columbia and what has to happen before the District of Columbia can open.
What is available today. Evictions API is a sandbox beta, in test mode only. Available today: sign-up for a free sandbox account, the online case form, the REST API and a sandbox with a fictional test state, where a built-in sandbox reviewer reviews cases automatically, you can step them through to close and receive webhooks. Not available yet: serving notices or filing in court for a real case, in any state, live mode, which would accept real cases and online checkout.
Where the District of Columbia stands
The District of Columbia is not open yet. A state opens when its rules have been reviewed by a licensed attorney in that state and a partner attorney is confirmed. Until then, requests for that state are recorded and nothing is served or filed.
Requesting access for the District of Columbia tells us where demand is. It does not start a case, and nothing is served or filed.
How the case is filed: Filed by the attorney (planned). Attorney filing is planned for the District of Columbia: the attorney is to file the court packet through their own court account and record the result on the case.
The attorney is to be the filer of record and approves the exact documents before anything is filed.
State-specific details
Each item links to its public source. Rules change and local rules differ, so the reviewing District of Columbia attorney confirms what applies to your case.
Notice for a lease violation
30-day notice to correct or vacate; shorter periods apply to certain illegal activity (D.C. Code 42-3505.01)
Source: code.dccouncil.govSource as of
Notice to end a tenancy without cause
Not permitted; only listed grounds, such as owner occupancy or sale (90 days), renovation (120) and demolition (180)
Source: code.dccouncil.govSource as of
Local rules
Eviction is allowed only on listed grounds, and the housing provider must show the court a current business license
Source: code.dccouncil.govSource as of
How a case is designed to move
This is the process once a state is open. Today, cases run only in the sandbox, in test mode.
You provide the case details
You enter the property, the parties and the rent details through the online case form or the API. The case must pass intake checks, including proof of your authority over the property, before it can be submitted.The attorney reviews the notice
The notice is generated from the state’s rules. The attorney licensed in that state reviews it and approves it, returns it with reasons, or asks for changes.The notice is served
The approved notice is to be served on the tenant by a method the state’s rules permit. Nothing is filed before any notice period that applies has ended. Serving a real notice is not available yet.The attorney reviews and files the court packet
If the matter is not resolved, the attorney reviews and approves the court packet before anything is filed, and is the filer of record. Filing is planned and is not available yet.The court decides
The court sets the hearing and decides the case. No outcome or timeline is promised.
Every step, with what you provide, is on the how it works page.
What it will cost
The platform fee will be $29 for a case that starts at the notice. If the case goes to court, the platform fee will be $99 in total: the $29 notice fee will be credited, so you will pay $70 more. The platform fee for a case that starts at filing will be $99. The attorney’s fee will be set by the attorney and paid to the attorney. Court filing fees and service costs will be passed through at cost. Online checkout is in development. See pricing.
Try the sandbox
Sign up and try a test case. No state is open yet, so nothing is served or filed. Ask for the District of Columbia and we record the request.