It shall and may be lawful for any person or persons, having any rent in arrear, or due upon any lease or demise for life or lives, to bring an action or actions of debt for such arrears of rent, in the same manner they might have done, in case such rent were due, and reserved upon a lease for years.
Action in debt may be brought for rent in arrears under lease or demise for life
D.C. Code § 42-3220 — under Landlord and Tenant..
D.C. Code § 42-3220