Before an eviction lawsuit can begin, a landlord typically has to give tenants a termination notice to end the tenancy. This notice gives the tenant a limited amount of time to remedy the issue or move out of the property. The notice period varies depending on the state and the reason for eviction.
Even if the tenant doesn't comply with the notice, the landlord can’t simply remove the tenant from the property. Self-help evictions, like when the landlord changes the locks or turns off the heat, water, or other utilities in an attempt to make the tenant move out, aren’t ever legal. The landlord must file an eviction lawsuit in court, which adds time to the process. Court proceedings can take several weeks to months, depending on the court's schedule. During this time, tenants can remain in the rental property until a court issues an eviction order.
To further delay the process, tenants can respond to the lawsuit, presenting defenses that could further delay or even stop an eviction. Common defenses include improper notice (say, the eviction notice doesn’t give the reason for the eviction) or the failure of the landlord to maintain the rental unit.
Tenants can protect their rights by learning about eviction notice requirements and eviction defenses. Below, you'll find articles about delaying an eviction in many of the major U.S. states.
California
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
Michigan
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Wyoming
Tenants can protect their rights by learning about eviction notice requirements and eviction defenses. Below, you'll find articles about delaying an eviction in many of the major U.S. states.
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