D.C. Proposes Mediation to Cut Eviction Court Delays
New legislation aims to speed up cases for D.C. renters and landlords currently facing a 90-day wait for initial hearings.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Apartments
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Washington Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb is pushing for an expansion of the SHARE Act to introduce an early mediation program for local eviction cases. This legislative move aims to address systemic court delays while supporting households facing temporary financial emergencies.
Why it matters
Current court backlogs mean initial eviction hearings in Washington take 90 days to schedule, transforming temporary rent arrears into permanent housing instability for tenants and financial strain for landlords. The proposed mediation seeks to stabilize housing before cases reach a critical legal threshold.
The District currently manages 15,000 annual eviction filings, with initial hearings now requiring a 90-day wait compared to 30 days pre-pandemic. The proposed expansion aims to bring 5,000 of these cases into a new mediation framework.
The players
Brian L. Schwalb
The Attorney General of the District of Columbia who acts as the primary legal advocate for consumer protection and policy reform.
D.C. Council
The legislative body for the District of Columbia responsible for enacting local ordinances and housing policy.
The details
The SHARE Act would create a mandatory mediation step between the initial filing of an eviction complaint and the first court appearance. By facilitating agreements at this early stage, the program aims to address the rent arrears that currently prevent affordable housing providers from collecting 20% to 30% of owed rent. The proposal also includes provisions for tenant legal assistance to help prevent cases from escalating to trial, which occurred in fewer than 1% of instances in 2025.
Timeline
Pre-pandemic hearings were typically scheduled 30 days after filing.
Current initial eviction hearings take 90 days to schedule.
Fewer than 1% of eviction cases reached trial during 2025.
Federal funding for D.C. Courts has remained stagnant for the past four years.
A 13% reduction in federal court funding is proposed for fiscal 2027.
Money Landscape
The proposed expansion of the SHARE Act follows a broader trend in municipal housing policy to shift from costly judicial proceedings to alternative dispute resolution. This move comes as court systems face potential budget cuts and increasing pressure to manage high case volumes efficiently.
Tenants and landlords should track this legislation as it may shorten the timeline for resolving rent disputes and alter the legal costs associated with eviction filings. Households currently in arrears should consult with a housing professional to understand how potential mediation could impact their specific payment plan options.
The takeaway
Early mediation could significantly reduce the 90-day waiting period currently affecting local eviction proceedings. Renters and property owners should monitor D.C. Council updates for changes to housing court procedures that may impact future legal timelines.
Further reading
For more information on housing stability and rental policy, visit Apartments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Washington Informer.
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