MAIN Home Life Home Legal Guide Eviction Laws

Laws protecting both landlords and tenants may vary from country to country, by U.S. state, or by city, town or village.

What hardly ever varies is the emotion the subject raises on both sides of the fence in many communities around the world.

In some cases, eviction may be as simple as the landlord choosing not to renew a lease after its expiration date. More commonly, nonpayment of rent or property damage remain the most typical causes for sudden evictions.

Before any action can be taken, landlords in many jurisdictions are bound by a strict set of rules. Typically, just cause must be evident, followed by a lawsuit in a local court and an official notice of a number of days or weeks given to the tenant before eviction.

However, some landlords may try to force out tenants in less than legal, more underhanded ways - such as turning off utilities, denying access by changing the door locks, or going so far as to remove doors and windows in a rental unit. If this happens, tenants usually have recourse in a countersuit whereby the tenant may win monetary damages, court costs and attorney fees.

In large urban areas, such as in New York or California, tenant unions exist to protect the rights of tenants and enforce the rules. Laws may be so strongly pro-tenant that anecdotal evidence points to an unwritten law in many big U.S. cities. That is, landlords will pay troublesome tenants to leave the premises merely to avoid all the court costs.

Elsewhere on the Web, find out more about the topic in online forums and at sites offering links to eviction laws in the U.S. and worldwide, plus FAQs and related information with further details on landlord/tenant rights, lease agreements and court procedures by area ...

Landlord Tenant Law Directory - Extensive information on general eviction laws as well as specifics for all 50 US states, Canada, the UK, Australia and South Africa with related online forum, suggested reading.

Moving Out or Getting Evicted - FAQ & general overview for U.S. renters, a chart showing return of security deposit deadlines for all U.S. states, plus information on related forms, small claim court cases and related resources.

So You're Being Evicted? Tips for Tenants - General advice for tenants facing eviction including issues related to nonpayment of rent, lease violations, health & safety concerns, bankruptcy, filing a counter claim and tips on eviction court procedures.

Eviction - Good overview from Wikipedia with details on U.S. and state eviction law, BC Canada & California laws pertaining to tenant-landlord rights, related links.

Canadian Landlord and Tenant Information on CanLaw - Information on laws and guidelines pertaining mainly to Ontario and Toronto with related links to life leases, eviction procedures, tenant help and landlord resources.

Shelter: Eviction - Laws governing eviction procedures in England with advice on court orders, tips on how to stop or delay a bailiff, plus related links to information on advice centers by area.

Landlord & Tenant, community message boards - Busy forums with discussions regarding eviction notices, lease agreements, roommates, noisy neighbors and related tenant concerns.

also see in Home Life -> Apartment Rental Guides

The information provided on these pages is intended as reference
only and does not constitute professional legal advice.