Tenant Resource Guide
Eviction Process
215 articles9 sections10 state guides
How eviction works
- The Eviction Timeline: How Long the Process TakesStart here An uncontested eviction can reach a lockout in 2 to 3 weeks in Arizona or Texas and about 6 weeks in New York. See each stage and every state's notice periods.
- Eviction Moratoriums: Temporary Protections for Tenants No nationwide eviction moratorium is in effect in 2026. What still applies: the CARES Act 30-day notice, disaster orders, and weather and school-year limits.
Responding to an eviction
- Cash for Keys: When Your Landlord Pays You to Leave Cash for keys is a voluntary deal to move out for money. Compare the offer with your moving costs and any relocation pay you're owed, and get every term in writing.
- Preparing for an Eviction Court Hearing Respond by the summons deadline (10 court days in California, 5 days in Florida), bring three copies of every document and your witnesses, and never skip the hearing.
- Finding Free Legal Help for Eviction Defense Free eviction lawyers depend on income and geographic limits, including in Connecticut, Los Angeles County, and Philadelphia. Elsewhere, start with legal aid.
- Negotiating With Your Landlord to Avoid Eviction Offer a payment plan or a move-out date, ask for a dismissal and a sealed record, and have the court approve the signed deal. Your landlord can say no.
- Defenses Against Eviction: Protecting Your Rights Eviction defenses that work: a bad notice, rent paid or refused, ignored repairs, retaliation, discrimination, or no just cause, plus the proof each one needs.
Eviction notices
- Cure or Quit Notice: Fixing a Lease Violation A cure-or-quit notice gives you 3 to 30 days, depending on the state, to fix a lease violation or move. How to fix it, prove it, and when no fix is allowed.
- Eviction of Month-to-Month Tenants: Different Rules Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy varies by state and city. California, New Jersey, Washington, and NYC also require a legal reason for most renters.
- Pay or Quit Notice: What It Means and What to Do A pay-or-quit notice gives you 3 to 14 days, in most states, to pay overdue rent in full or move. What to pay, when you can still pay later, and your defenses.
After an eviction
- How an Eviction Affects Your Credit Score and Rental History Evictions stay off major credit reports, but rent debt can appear if the collector reports it; screening reports can list the case for 7 years.
- Your Belongings During and After Eviction After a lockout, some states require storage (15 days in California, 6 months in a Massachusetts warehouse) while Florida allows the curb. How to get your things back.
- How to Rent Again After an Eviction Screening reports can show an eviction for 7 years. Fix errors, pay the judgment, seal the case if allowed, then apply with a guarantor or written explanation.
- Sealing or Expunging Eviction Records California and Colorado hide eviction cases from filing; Minnesota, Maryland, and Virginia seal some automatically. Who qualifies and how.
- What Happens After an Eviction Judgment After a landlord wins, an officer can remove you after as little as 24 hours' notice. Deadlines by state, appeals, getting more time, paying to stay, and what you owe.
Illegal evictions
- Self-Help Eviction: What It Is and Why It's Illegal Locking you out, cutting utilities, or removing your things without a court order is illegal. Call police, keep records, and ask a court to let you back in.
- Filing a Wrongful Eviction Lawsuit You can sue a landlord who locked you out, evicted you to retaliate or discriminate, or faked an owner move-in. Some laws award triple damages plus attorney fees.
State-specific rules
- Washington Eviction Protections for Tenants
- Texas Eviction Protections for Tenants
- Pennsylvania Eviction Protections for Tenants
- New York Eviction Protections for Tenants
- New Jersey Eviction Protections for Tenants
- Massachusetts Eviction Protections for Tenants
- Maryland Eviction Protections for Tenants
- Illinois Eviction Protections for Tenants
- Florida Eviction Protections for Tenants
- California Eviction Protections for Tenants
Savings tools and property management powered by real estate.
There are no fees for opening or using Tellus. Available on iOS and Android.