District of Columbia — NOTICE TO CURE OR VACATE

(Comprehensive Eviction Notice Template)

[// GUIDANCE: This document is drafted to comply with prevailing District of Columbia landlord-tenant requirements, including (i) minimum notice periods; (ii) mandatory cure language; and (iii) permissible service methods. All bracketed items must be customized to the facts of your matter prior to service. Always confirm there are no emergency moratoria or other temporary local rules in effect at the time of service.*]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Operative Provisions
   3.1 Statement of Default
   3.2 Notice to Cure
   3.3 Demand for Possession
4. Default & Remedies
5. Dispute Resolution
6. General Provisions
7. Execution Block
8. Affidavit of Service

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

NOTICE TO CURE OR VACATE
Effective Date: [EFFECTIVE DATE]

From: [LANDLORD LEGAL NAME], (“Landlord”)
To: [TENANT LEGAL NAME(S)], (“Tenant”)
Premises: [PROPERTY ADDRESS, UNIT]
Lease Date: [ORIGINAL LEASE DATE]

2. DEFINITIONS

“Business Day” – Any day other than Saturday, Sunday, or a federal or District of Columbia legal holiday.
“Cure Amount” – The sum of [INSERT DOLLAR AMOUNT] representing all past-due rent, late fees, and other recoverable charges through [CALCULATION DATE].
“Cure Period” – Thirty (30) days following Tenant’s deemed receipt of this Notice, unless a longer statutory period is then in force.
“Lease” – The written [or oral] rental agreement identified in the Document Header, as amended.
“Notice” – This District of Columbia Notice to Cure or Vacate, together with all attachments and the Affidavit of Service.

[// GUIDANCE: Add additional defined terms if necessary for complex factual scenarios.]

3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 Statement of Default

Tenant is in material default of the Lease by reason of:
☐ Non-payment of rent (total arrearage: $[AMOUNT] through [DATE])
☐ Violation of lease covenant(s): [DESCRIBE]
☐ Other statutory cause: [DESCRIBE]

3.2 Notice to Cure

Pursuant to District of Columbia law, Tenant is hereby provided the Cure Period to:
a. Remit the Cure Amount in good funds to Landlord at [PAYMENT ADDRESS OR ELECTRONIC METHOD], or
b. Fully cure the non-monetary default(s) described above and deliver written proof thereof to Landlord.

If Tenant cures within the Cure Period, this Notice shall be deemed withdrawn without further action, and the Lease shall continue in full force and effect.

3.3 Demand for Possession

If Tenant fails to cure within the Cure Period, Tenant must voluntarily vacate and surrender exclusive possession of the Premises to Landlord on or before the next calendar day after the Cure Period expires. Failure to vacate may result in Landlord initiating a possessory action in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Landlord-Tenant Branch, together with a demand for all permissible costs, fees, and use-and-occupancy charges.

4. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

4.1 Events of Default. Any failure by Tenant to cure the stated default(s) within the Cure Period shall constitute an Event of Default.
4.2 Graduated Remedies. Upon an Event of Default, Landlord may pursue one or more of the following, subject to statutory limitations:
a. Summary possession proceedings;
b. Money judgment for unpaid rent, use-and-occupancy, and allowable fees;
c. Recovery of court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees where permitted.
4.3 No Waiver. Acceptance of partial payment or rent after service of this Notice shall not constitute waiver unless Landlord expressly agrees in a signed writing.

5. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Governing Law: This Notice and any dispute hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the District of Columbia.
Forum Selection: Any proceeding for possession shall be filed exclusively in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Landlord-Tenant Branch.
Arbitration: Not applicable.
Jury Waiver: Tenant retains any constitutional right to jury trial unless voluntarily waived in a separate, compliant instrument.
Injunctive Relief: Landlord reserves the right to seek equitable relief where authorized by statute.

6. GENERAL PROVISIONS

6.1 Amendments. Any modification of this Notice must be in writing and signed by Landlord.
6.2 Severability. If any provision of this Notice is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force.
6.3 Integration. This Notice constitutes the entire notice required by applicable District of Columbia landlord-tenant law concerning the default(s) stated herein.

7. EXECUTION BLOCK

LANDLORD:

[AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY NAME & TITLE]
Date: _________

8. AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE

District of Columbia )
: ss
_______ )

I, [SERVER NAME], being duly sworn, state:

1. I am at least 18 years of age and not a party to the above-referenced Lease.

2. On [DATE OF SERVICE] at [TIME], I served a true and correct copy of this Notice, together with any attachments, on Tenant as follows (check all that apply):
   ☐ Personal delivery to [TENANT NAME] at the Premises.
   ☐ Delivery to a person of suitable age residing at the Premises, namely [NAME].
   ☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested, tracking no. [NUMBER].
   ☐ Posting conspicuously on the main entrance and mailing via first-class U.S. mail to the Premises (after diligent efforts to serve personally).

3. The facts stated herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

[SERVER SIGNATURE]

Subscribed and sworn before me this ___ day of ____, 20__.

Notary Public
My commission expires: _______

[// GUIDANCE:
1. Verify the exact notice period applicable to your cause (e.g., non-payment typically requires 30 days; other causes may mandate longer notice).
2. Confirm compliance with any current local emergency legislation or public-health moratoria.
3. Attach a Rent Ledger or Schedule of Defaults if asserting monetary breach.
4. Maintain proof of mailing (certified receipt) and/or posting photographs for court readiness.
5. Serve a Spanish translation if you are aware the Tenant’s primary language is Spanish to mitigate procedural challenges.
]