Eviction

The legal process of removing a tenant from a rental property for non-payment or lease violation.

Eviction process varies by state — fast states like Georgia, Texas, Nevada, and Arizona can complete an uncontested eviction in 3-6 weeks. Tenant-friendly states like California, New York, and Massachusetts can take 4-9 months. The process always involves (1) a written notice with a statutory cure period, (2) filing a lawsuit if the tenant doesn't pay or vacate, (3) a court hearing, (4) a judgment, and (5) a writ of possession executed by a sheriff or marshal. DIY eviction is illegal everywhere — no changing locks, no shutting off utilities, no removing the tenant's belongings. The cost of one eviction (filing fees + lost rent + turnover) typically runs $3-7k.