Strong tenant protections
Breaking a lease in District of Columbia
The mitigation question
Good news
Your landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent — you owe the gap, not the whole remainder. Yes — D.C. Code § 42-3505.52 (landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent)
Your protected exits
- Military. SCRA baseline (50 U.S.C. § 3955); no broader D.C. extension found Guide →
- Domestic violence. Victim (or parent/guardian of a minor victim) of an intrafamily offense (§16-1001(8)) may be released from the rental agreement by giving written notice of termination plus (1) a copy of a protective order issued under… D.C. Code § 42-3505.07 Guide →
- Uninhabitable conditions. Reported (confirm with a licensed attorney): Implied warranty of habitability under D.C. case law (Javins v. First National Realty Corp., 428 F.2d 1071 (D.C. Cir. 1970)). No statutory repair-and-deduct or rent-withholding right; tenant remedies are a lawsuit for…
- Landlord harassment / abuse of access (D.C. Code §42-3505.51 — tenant may obtain court order barring entry and recover damages)
- SCRA military exit
Notice periods
| Situation | Rule |
|---|
| Dv | Written notice + documentation; effective 14 days after receipt of both, or when re-rented; request within 90 days of incident (§42-3505.07) |
| Habitability | Reported (confirm with a licensed attorney): Written notice + reasonable time to repair (constructive eviction, case law — mechanics |
| Military | 30 days after next rent due date (SCRA) |
Early-termination fees
Reported (confirm with a licensed attorney): No statutory cap found — flat early-termination fees enforceable only as reasonable liquidated damages under general contract law
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Not legal advice. This page is general information about landlord-tenant law, not advice about your situation. Laws change and procedures vary by county. For advice about your lease, consult a licensed attorney in your state — many legal aid offices help renters free.