What can a landlord do if a tenant is late on rent payments?

Landlords in the District of Columbia have several options when it comes to a tenant who is late on rent payments. The first step is usually a friendly reminder. If the tenant does not respond, the landlord can then serve the tenant with a written demand for rent. The demand must be dated, itemize the rent owed, and specify that the tenant has a certain number of days to pay the rent or vacate the unit. If the tenant fails to pay the rent or vacate the unit within the specified time period, the landlord can then go to court and file an eviction. In order to file for eviction, the landlord is required to follow certain legal steps including sending a copy of the complaint to the tenant at least five days before the hearing. At the hearing, the landlord must prove that the tenant was late or failed to pay rent. If the court finds in favor of the landlord, the tenant is then ordered to pay their rent plus court costs. If the tenant still fails to pay the rent, the court may issue a writ of possession, which authorizes law enforcement to remove the tenant from the rental unit. Landlords in the District of Columbia must go through this process in order to legally evict a tenant who is late on their rent payments.

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What can a landlord do if a tenant is late on rent payments?

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