EVICTION - EVICTING TENANTS

EVICTION DEFINED: An "eviction" is a legal proceeding by which the landlord seeks to reclaim the premises (apartment or home) and put the tenant out.

If you are a landlord, you should find out the legal grounds for evicting a tenant as well as the proper notification requirements. The eviction rules vary by state or jurisdiction. A tenant could receive compensation for costs paid because of unlawful eviction.  For a landlord to take legal action against a tenant who does not move out, the landlord must first give written notice to the tenant in accordance with the law, prior to evicting them.

TENANTS: you need to know how you can defend yourself against an unjustifiable eviction. To protect yourself, read your lease. Find your state eviction laws. Also you may:

• contact your lawyer

• contact your local government—many cities have a department of consumer affairs or housing department to help you

• if your rent is subsidized, check whether the subsidy program will help (Section 8 etc)

• ask the local library for the municipal code regulations on eviction

To learn some of the reasons why the landlord may evict the tenant, read the rest of the guide here.