Form 14: DC’s 120-Day Notice to Vacate for Renovations or Alterations

The District has published a standardized Form 14 — a 120-day notice landlords can use to require tenants to vacate when substantial renovations or alterations are planned. The document is available on the city’s official website and outlines the 120-day timeframe, the property and owner details, and the stated reason for the required vacancy.

The form is designed as an administrative template for property owners and managers who need tenants to leave so work can be completed safely and in compliance with construction or housing rules. It specifies the effective date of the notice and includes fields for the building address and the landlord or agent’s contact information. The document also establishes the start of the 120-day period that must elapse before tenants are required to move.

What the form does

Form 14 provides a consistent format for communicating a relocation requirement tied to renovations or structural alterations. By using a standard notice, owners document the reason for vacancy and the timeline for compliance. The form is intended for use when the planned work cannot be carried out safely with tenants in place and when local procedures require an official written notice to begin a vacancy period.

The template does not itself replace underlying tenant protections or legal obligations; it operates within the District’s broader landlord-tenant framework. Property owners who serve the notice must ensure they meet any other legal duties that apply under local housing law, including providing required information, following approved service procedures, and, where applicable, complying with relocation or assistance rules that govern renovation-related displacements.

Local impact and enforcement

The availability of a clear, city-issued notice affects landlords, property managers, tenants, and housing counselors across neighborhoods undergoing renovation and redevelopment. In areas with active construction or conversion projects, such as long-transforming corridors, the form will be a routine administrative step when owners seek to update or reconfigure units.

Tenant advocates, housing assistance programs, and enforcement officials will watch how the notice is used in practice — particularly whether landlords follow related procedural and disclosure requirements. Misuse or improper service of a 120-day notice can trigger disputes that involve housing enforcement bodies or tenant legal services.

The form also gives property owners a clear starting point for documentation, which can affect timelines for contractors, permitting, and construction scheduling once vacancies are secured. For property managers juggling multiple projects, the standardized form reduces ambiguity about how to begin the relocation process.

Housing providers and renters should consult the District’s official guidance and, if necessary, seek legal or advocacy help to understand rights and responsibilities tied to a 120-day notice.

Watch for updates to the form or accompanying guidance from the District that clarify procedural requirements, permissible uses, or any added tenant protections tied to renovation-related relocations.