Lease dictionary
Eviction (unlawful detainer)
The court process - the only legal process - for removing a tenant.
Eviction is a lawsuit (often called 'unlawful detainer') the landlord must win before you can be removed. It starts with a written notice, then a court filing, a hearing, and - only if the landlord wins - removal by a sheriff or marshal.
Everything else is an illegal 'self-help' eviction: changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing your belongings, threats. Every state bans these, and many award tenants damages when they happen.
Watch out
If a landlord locks you out without a court order, call the police non-emergency line and a local tenant-rights group - in most states you can be let back in and compensated.
See it in action
The Tenant rights by state puts this term to work for you.