Foreclosure Moratorium Extension in the District of Columbia

A new law in Washington, D.C. extends its foreclosure moratorium until June 30, 2022, and provides a further moratorium until September 30, 2022, for those who apply to a homeowner assistance program.

By , Attorney


District of Columbia legislators extended the foreclosure moratorium for residential properties from March 11, 2020 to June 30, 2022. (D.C. Code § 42–851.01). During this time, mortgage holders and loan servicers can't initiate or conduct a residential foreclosure, initiate or conduct a foreclosure sale, or enter a judgment foreclosing the right of redemption (applicable to property tax foreclosures).

Also, from July 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022, no residential foreclosure may be initiated or conducted, no sale may be initiated or conducted, and no judgment foreclosing the right of redemption (again, this relates to property tax foreclosures) can be entered if:

  • a homeowner or their representative applies for financial assistance from the District's Homeowner Assistance Fund program or a similar government fund established to assist homeowners impacted by the COVID-19 public emergency in curing a debt or default
  • the financial assistance application is pending approval, pending payment, or under appeal, and
  • proof of the financial assistance application status is presented, as a paper copy or through an electronic medium, to the mortgage lender, condominium association, homeowners' association, or tax sale purchaser, or to an agent acting as a representative for any housing or financing entity to which a homeowner is indebted. (D.C. Code § 42–851.01).

To qualify for this extended moratorium, you must apply for homeowner assistance and provide proof no later than 60 calendar days after July 1, 2022.

The moratorium doesn't apply to residential properties at which neither a record owner nor a person with an interest in the property as heir or beneficiary of a deceased record owner has resided for at least 275 total days during the previous 12 months.

Effective date: April 8, 2022