Frequently Asked Questions

Only landlords or others who want to evict a tenant or another occupant from their property can sue in Landlord and Tenant Court. A person or company seeking to evict a tenant or other occupant can file a Complaint for Possession in the Landlord and Tenant Clerk's Office. If a landlord only wants to sue for rent or other damages (but not possession of the property), the landlord must bring suit in Small Claims or the Civil Actions Branch. Tenants who wish to sue their landlords must bring suit in Small Claims or the Civil Actions Branch. Tenants with certain kinds of claims against their landlords can also file petitions and request a hearing in the Rental Accommodations and Conversion Division of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (202-442-4610).