Superior Court Seeks Comment on Proposed Eviction Filing Fee Increase

February 09, 2021

The Superior Court of the District of Columbia is requesting public comment on whether Superior Court Rule of Civil Procedure 202(a)(1) should be amended to increase the initial filing fee for eviction cases from $15 to $100. 

Section 4 of D.C. Council’s recently passed Fairness in Renting Temporary Amendment Act of 2020 drew attention to the large number of District eviction filings, their disproportionate impact on Wards 7 and 8, the disparity in filing fees between the District and neighboring jurisdictions, and other factors suggesting that an increase may be appropriate.

The Superior Court is seeking comment on whether an increase in the filing fee would impact the number of eviction claims filed with the court, if higher fees impacted the number of evictions filed in neighboring jurisdictions, if there are potential negative impacts on tenants against whom filing fees may be recovered in successful eviction actions, and other relevant questions.

The full text of the notice, including the language of the proposed rule, can be viewed here. Written comments must be submitted by April 12. They may be emailed as a PDF to 
[email protected] or mailed to:

Laura M.L. Wait
Associate General Counsel
District of Columbia Courts
500 Indiana Ave, NW, Room 6715
Washington, DC 20001