{"id":369202,"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\/eviction-and-unlawful-detainer.html"},"modified":"2024-05-30T18:50:00","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T23:50:00","slug":"eviction-and-unlawful-detainer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/eviction-and-unlawful-detainer.html","title":{"rendered":"Eviction and Unlawful Detainer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Eviction and Unlawful Detainer<\/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

Landlords can take legal action to force tenants out of the home. If you get an eviction notice, treat it seriously.<\/p>\r\n

Eviction<\/a> is the legal process through which a landlord terminates a tenant’s right to remain on the rental property. Ultimately, law enforcement may forcibly remove the tenant from the property. <\/p>\r\n

This real estate law article explains the difference between evictions and unlawful detainers. It also describes the tenant removal process. <\/p>\r\n

What Is an Unlawful Detainer?<\/h2>\r\n

An unlawful detainer lawsuit is a legal way for a landlord to evict a renter<\/a>. Courts commonly refer to eviction actions as "forcible entry and detainer" or "unlawful detainer<\/a>" actions.<\/p>\r\n

However, doing so requires a formal court order. The landlord cannot use self-help to remove the tenant.<\/p>\r\n

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

Landlords can evict a tenant if they violate one or more lease agreement provisions.<\/p>\r\n

Valid reasons for eviction include:<\/p>\r\n