How to Evict a Tenant
Before beginning an eviction lawsuit, a landlord first must terminate the tenancy. Each state has rules about how the landlord must give written notice of a tenancy termination and what information must be included in the notice. Generally, termination notices are: pay or quit (leave) notices, cure (fix the problem) or quit notices, or unconditional quit notices (which provide no chance to pay or cure).
If the tenant doesn't move out or correct the issue that caused the termination (say, by paying the rent arrears or rehoming an unpermitted pet), the landlord can then file an eviction lawsuit. Self-help evictions, such as lock-outs and utility shutoffs, are illegal in all states. A landlord has to go to court and get an eviction order to evict a tenant.
Learn the eviction laws in most U.S. states here.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Eviction Laws in Major U.S. States
Learn the eviction laws in most U.S. states here.
A landlord or property manager cannot physically evict a tenant unless the landlord has first given the tenant a termination notice and has received an order of possession from the court.
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