Eviction is the legal process used to remove a tenant or occupant from property and return possession to the landlord or other entitled party. In plain language, it is the court-backed process for ending occupancy when the law allows it.
Why It Matters
The term matters because landlords usually cannot simply lock out or physically remove tenants on their own. Eviction law exists to structure when possession can be recovered and what notice, filings, hearings, and defenses may be involved.
Readers also need the term because eviction rules are highly process-sensitive. Even when a landlord has a strong claim, the outcome can depend on following the legally required steps.
Where It Appears
The term appears in housing disputes, lease defaults, notices to quit, court filings, judgments for possession, and local landlord-tenant law materials.
Practical Example
A tenant stops paying rent and remains in the apartment after notice. The landlord may file an eviction action seeking a court order for possession instead of trying to remove the tenant without legal process.
How It Differs From Nearby Terms
- A tenant is the occupant with possession rights, while eviction is the process used to end those rights and recover possession.
- A landlord is the party that may seek eviction.
- A remedy is the broader legal concept; eviction is one specific remedy tied to possession of property.
Related Terms
Knowledge Check
- What is eviction in plain language? It is the legal process used to remove an occupant and restore possession to the party entitled to the property.
- Why is eviction not just a private self-help decision? Because the law usually requires notice and formal process before possession can be recovered.