# D.C. Code § 16-1101: Parties defendant; joint tenants and tenants in common

> District of Columbia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1101

## Section

- **Citation:** D.C. Code § 16-1101
- **Heading:** Parties defendant; joint tenants and tenants in common
- **Jurisdiction:** District of Columbia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DC Code / Title 16 / Chapter 11 / § 16-1101

## Text

(a) A civil action based upon a cause of action in ejectment, may be brought against:
(1) the person actually occupying the premises claimed, either in person or by tenant; or
(2) both the claimant and his tenant, or other occupant claiming under him; or
(3) if the premises are not actually occupied, a person exercising acts of ownership thereon adversely to the plaintiff.
When a lessee is made a defendant at the suit of a party claiming against the title of the lessee’s landlord, the landlord may appear and be made a party defendant in the place of his lessee.
Any person claiming to be in possession may, on motion, be admitted to defend the action.
(b) Joint tenants shall sue jointly in ejectment, but tenants in common may sue either jointly or separately, and any number of tenants in common, less than the whole number entitled, may sue jointly in reference to their undivided interests.

## Nearby sections

- [D.C. Code § 16-1101 § 16-1101. Parties defendant; joint tenants and tenants in common.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1101.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1102 § 16-1102. Failure of tenant to give notice to landlord.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1102.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1103 § 16-1103. Contents of complaint; adverse possession.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1103.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1104 § 16-1104. Proof necessary.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1104.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1105 § 16-1105. Legal title in mortgagee or trustee; possession.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1105.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1106 § 16-1106. Performance of contract by vendee as precluding vendor from recovery.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1106.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1107 § 16-1107. Several judgments against defendants occupying distinct parcels.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1107.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1108 § 16-1108. Recovery of less than is claimed.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1108.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1109 § 16-1109. Recovery of mesne profits and damages; separate count.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1109.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1110 § 16-1110. Recovery, by landlord, of furniture, arrears in rent, and damages; separate counts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1110.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1111 § 16-1111. Separate action for rent or damages.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1111.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1112 § 16-1112. Expiration of title pending suit; damages.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1112.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1113 § 16-1113. Defense of adverse possession; enclosure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1113.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-1114 § 16-1114. Verdict; judgment; costs; future actions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1114.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C11_S16-1101. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.