(a) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, in an action of ejectment it is sufficient to entitle the plaintiff to relief to show that he is entitled, as against the defendant, to the immediate possession of the premises claimed, and that the defendant is:
(1) in possession of the premises, and is holding adversely to the plaintiff; or
(2) exercising acts of ownership over the premises, adversely to the plaintiff.
(b) In an action pursuant to this chapter by one or more joint tenants or tenants in common against their cotenants, the plaintiff shall be required to prove an actual ouster or some other act amounting to a denial of the plaintiff’s title and his exclusion from the enjoyment of the property.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 565, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
1981 Ed., § 16-1104.
1973 Ed., § 16-1104.
Structure District of Columbia Code
Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]
Chapter 11 - Ejectment and Other Real Property Actions
§ 16–1101. Parties defendant; joint tenants and tenants in common
§ 16–1102. Failure of tenant to give notice to landlord
§ 16–1103. Contents of complaint; adverse possession
§ 16–1105. Legal title in mortgagee or trustee; possession
§ 16–1106. Performance of contract by vendee as precluding vendor from recovery
§ 16–1107. Several judgments against defendants occupying distinct parcels
§ 16–1108. Recovery of less than is claimed
§ 16–1109. Recovery of mesne profits and damages; separate count
§ 16–1110. Recovery, by landlord, of furniture, arrears in rent, and damages; separate counts
§ 16–1111. Separate action for rent or damages
§ 16–1112. Expiration of title pending suit; damages
§ 16–1113. Defense of adverse possession; enclosure
§ 16–1114. Verdict; judgment; costs; future actions
§ 16–1115. Conclusiveness of final judgment
§ 16–1116. Improvements; notice; good faith; directions to jury; measure of damages
§ 16–1117. New trial as to assessment
§ 16–1118. Judgment for damages in excess of improvements
§ 16–1119. Judgment when improvements and damages are equal
§ 16–1120. Election of plaintiff if value of improvements exceeds damages
§ 16–1121. Judgment and writ of possession after payment for improvements
§ 16–1122. Judgment and writ of possession after tender of deed and defendant’s refusal to pay
§ 16–1123. Judgment for defendant after plaintiff’s refusal to pay excess or tender deed