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   Frequently Asked Questions By Tenants

By: DC Bar Pro Bono Program

    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   If Your Landlord Is Trying To Evict You Without Going To Court
This is a letter that you can send to your landlord if he or she is trying to evict you without filing an action in Landlord and Tenant Court. Such evictions are called "self-help" evictions, and they are illegal in the District of Columbia.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   Appeals and Motions for Reconsideration in Landlord-Tenant Cases
This resource contains frequently asked questions for people who do not agree with decisions made by judges in their Landlord-Tenant cases. NOTE: These questions do not talk about how to handle default judgments or dismissals entered because you missed a court hearing.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   Filing Answers and Counterclaims in Landlord and Tenant Court This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Explains what an answer is, whether a tenant is required to file an answer, the differences among counterclaims, recoupments, and setoffs, and what a tenant should consider before filing any of them.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   Filing Motions in Landlord and Tenant Court This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Explains the process involved in filing motions, filinf fees, serving other parties, and what you should do if you receive a motion.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   If the Property You Rent Has Been Sold in a Foreclosure Sale
This is a letter that you can send to the new owner of the property or the new owner's lawyer. In the District of Columbia, a property owner cannot evict a tenant just because the property was sold at foreclosure. (This is a letter for tenants only. It does not apply to former owners.)
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   Initial Return Dates - Your First Day in Court This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Explains how to find out when a tenant is required to appear in Landlord and Tenant Court, what to expect when the tenant goes to Court, and what to do if the tenant cannot attend on the assigned date.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   Judgments, Writs, and Evictions - Information for Landlords This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Discusses the procedures a landlord is required to follow to have a tenant evicted from a residential rental property.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   Judgments, Writs, and Stopping Evictions - Information for Tenants This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Explains what a judgment for possession is, what to do if a judgment has been entered against a tenant, and how a tenant can prevent eviction if the landlord has gotten a writ of restitution to evict the tenant.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   Protective Orders - Paying Rent to the Court Registry This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Discusses what protective orders are and how they work, including what happens if a tenant misses a payment under a protective order and the impact of housing code violations on the amount a tenant is required to pay.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   Proving Your Case in Landlord and Tenant Court - Evidence and Subpoenas This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Discusses the kinds of evidence you can use in Landlord and Tenant Court and how to use subpoenas to obtain information and call witnesses.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   Settlement and Mediation in Landlord and Tenant Court This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Provides information about the options of settlement and mediation as alternatives to trials in landlord and tenant cases. Also explains the difference between a settlement and a Form 4 payment plan.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   Trials in Landlord and Tenant Court This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
Discusses what happens at a trial in Landlord and Tenant Court, the difference between a bench trial and a jury trial, and how to prepare for a trial.
By: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program
  
   
   Washington DC Tenant Survival Guide This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
This guide provides a wide-ranging discussion of issues relevant to tenants in the District of Columbia. Some of the topics covered include: - Leases - Security Deposits - Repairs - Renter's Insurance - Evictions - Rent Control - Public Housing
By: Harrison Institute for Public Law in conjunction with the District of Columbia Office of the Tenant Advocate
  
   
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