{"id":369200,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:16","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/defenses-to-eviction.html"},"modified":"2023-10-04T13:28:07","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T18:28:07","slug":"defenses-to-eviction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/defenses-to-eviction.html","title":{"rendered":"Defenses to Eviction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Defenses to Eviction<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Many Americans face eviction every year. Local laws provide eviction defenses for tenants, such as a notice requirement, the possibility of paying partial rent, and more.<\/p>\r\n

This article explores a few common defenses to an eviction.<\/p>\r\n

Common Reasons for Eviction<\/h2>\r\n

Landlords cannot evict tenants just because they want to evict them. They also cannot use what’s known as self-help, such as changing the locks, to accomplish an eviction. They need a reason and a court order. They must go through their local eviction process.<\/p>\r\n

A few common reasons for eviction include these lease violations:<\/p>\r\n