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How does a Rental Eviction Work?

Nat Robinson
Nat Robinson

A rental eviction is the process of revoking the rental agreement of a tenant, causing him or her to vacate the residence before the initial terms agreed upon. The time for which the person must leave the residence is usually up to the person making the eviction. Generally, the owner of the dwelling will serve the tenant with an eviction notice filled with the specific reasons for the eviction. In most cases, a warning may be given before an eviction is made. However, there are some cases which may call for an eviction on the spot.

Typically, there is a series of steps which will lead to a rental eviction. Generally, an eviction will start with a warning being issued to the tenant. The warning will commonly address the issues the owner has with the tenant. He or she may give a date for the tenant to make corrections before more invasive steps are taken. If the tenant fails to adhere to the warning and make the necessary changes, the next step is usually an eviction notice.

A notice of eviction should be posted to a tenant's door.
A notice of eviction should be posted to a tenant's door.

Often, a rental eviction occurs due to the lack of rent payment. When a person agrees to rent a place, he or she usually signs a rental agreement. The agreement will generally state the terms for which the tenant must abide by to remain in the dwelling. Generally, the first matter of business addressed in the agreement is the rental fee which must be paid by the tenant on a schedule determined by the owner. If the person continuously fails to pay the rent, he or she may be faced with an eviction.

A rental eviction generally starts with a warning addressing the issues an owner has with a tenant.
A rental eviction generally starts with a warning addressing the issues an owner has with a tenant.

In many cases, an officer of the law will deliver a rental eviction letter. If done in this manner, the letter is usually hand delivered to the renter and he or she may be required to sign for it. This will generally serve as proof the letter was received by the appropriate individual. Individuals living in an apartment may receive an apartment eviction letter personally from the landlord. Usually, the letter will inform the tenant of the reason he or she is being evicted, the date for which the premises must be vacated, and if whether or not any security deposits will be reimbursed.

When a person agrees to rent a place, he usually signs a rental agreement.
When a person agrees to rent a place, he usually signs a rental agreement.

Sometimes, this action will be contested by the tenant. For this reason, an individual seeking to serve a rental eviction notice should be familiar with real estate law. In many cases, an eviction may have to meet certain conditions for it to have legal standings. This may be important should the proceedings lead to an eviction lawsuit. It is generally a good idea for an individual interested in becoming a renter to be knowledgeable of tenant rights, should the event arise where he or she is faced with an eviction.

Discussion Comments

Reminiscence

Nobody enjoys the eviction process, which is why some landlords will allow delinquent tenants to remain on the property for several months after the first notice of eviction. The cost of pursuing a legal eviction and the risk of a personal confrontation may be too high for some landlords. Sometimes a delinquent tenant will receive a financial windfall, like a federal tax refund or inheritance, and be in a position to pay the back rent.

Phaedrus

Rental eviction is a legal process, not just a single action. The landlord may give a tenant 30 days to leave the premises because of nonpayment of rent, but the tenant can still raise the money and nullify that action. The tenant may also have an additional 30 days to appeal the reasons listed on the rental eviction form. A broken fence may get mended, or a noisy roommate may leave voluntarily. Again, the reason for the eviction may become a non-issue during an appeal.

Even if the landlord has given a 30 day eviction notice and the tenant has spent 30 more days appealing the decision, the eviction attempt may still end up in a local court. It could take 90 days from the first notice for anyone to be forced into doing anything. Once a law enforcement officer arrives with the final eviction notice, however, the tenant really has very few options left except to pack up and leave.

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    • A notice of eviction should be posted to a tenant's door.
      By: bagraphix
      A notice of eviction should be posted to a tenant's door.
    • A rental eviction generally starts with a warning addressing the issues an owner has with a tenant.
      By: mjlp4337
      A rental eviction generally starts with a warning addressing the issues an owner has with a tenant.
    • When a person agrees to rent a place, he usually signs a rental agreement.
      By: andiafaith
      When a person agrees to rent a place, he usually signs a rental agreement.
    • A rental eviction often occurs due to lack of rent payment.
      By: Mikael Damkier
      A rental eviction often occurs due to lack of rent payment.
    • In most cases, a warning may be given before an eviction is made.
      By: Syda Productions
      In most cases, a warning may be given before an eviction is made.
    • Video evidence of a tenant committing a violation can help with the eviction process.
      By: Volodymyr Shevchuk
      Video evidence of a tenant committing a violation can help with the eviction process.