Lease dictionary
Just cause eviction
A rule that landlords may only end a tenancy or refuse to renew for specific legally recognized reasons.
Just cause laws list the permitted reasons, such as nonpayment, serious lease violations, or the owner moving in. Without one of those reasons, a landlord can't simply decline to renew or end a month-to-month tenancy.
A handful of states and many cities have these laws, and the details differ: which buildings are covered, how long you must have lived there, and whether no-fault removals require relocation payments.
Watch out
Coverage often depends on building age and tenancy length. Check your state and city rules rather than assuming you're covered or not.
See it in action
The Tenant rights by state puts this term to work for you.