What Does the Landlord Need to Do to Evict the Tenant?

There are many reasons why a landlord might want to evict a tenant from the property. The most common is for non-payment of rent. Beyond that, the tenant, visitors, children, or pets might damage the property beyond a reasonable "wear and tear" level. Speaking of pets, the tenant might be violating the lease by sneaking pets into a pet-free unit. There's always the possibility that the tenant is using the property for illegal purposes, such as trafficking in drugs or prostitution.

Whatever your reason, eviction isn't as simple as throwing the tenants and their property onto the street. There are many rules which must be followed before a tenant can be legally evicted. Otherwise, you might open yourself up to a lawsuit, or even criminal trespassing charges.

Step 1: Give Written Notice

The exact name varies state-to-state, but generally, a tenant must be provided a termination of tenancy notice. The requirements of how this must be served upon a tenant also vary by state. In some states, the tenant must be served in person. In others, you may attach it to the door of the tenant's property, or do both.

Step 2: Commence the Lawsuit

If the written notice alone did not succeed in completing the eviction, the next step is to follow through with the warning and file a complaint in your local court. This usually requires serving the tenant with a summons and copy of the complaint, as well as paying a filing fee.

Step 3: Win in Court

While some states may allow the tenant to choose a jury trial, nearly all of these proceedings are handled in front of a judge only, or arbitration panel where attorneys hear evidence from both parties, represented or pro se. The hearing is denovo and nonbinding. The judge will hear evidence regarding your reason for eviction and any defenses to eviction presented by the tenant.

If you win, the tenant is ordered to vacate the premises. If they refuse, landlords can have authorities remove the tenant after the requisite time for them to vacate has passed.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

While some states have made an effort to provide standardized forms and expedited eviction proceedings to ensure that unwanted tenants are not squatting in apartments, the process varies greatly by state. It is very important that a landlord complete every step according to law. A single mistake can delay the eviction proceedings and even require the landlord to start the process anew, meaning more lost rent.

Strictly speaking, a lawyer is not required to evict a tenant but the possible consequences of a mistake made by a layperson landlord may outweigh the cost of counsel.

Evicting a Tenant: Additional Resources

If you would like to do additional research, click on the links below:

• Get Legal Help with a Tenants' Rights Issue
• State Property & Real Estate Laws
• Select State and Local Landlord-Tenant Laws

Unsure About the Eviction Process? Talk to an Attorney

There are certain procedures that a landlord is required to follow to evict a tenant. If you're relatively new to being a landlord, haven't had to evict anyone before, or have a particularly complex case, you may want to err on the side of caution and meet with an experienced landlord-tenant attorney first.