Before filing an eviction suit, the landlord must serve a notice to quit on the tenant. The notice can be delivered in person, sent by mail, or posted inside the main entrance door.

• 3-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Payment
• 3-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance
• 1-Month Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Lease

The landlord can file a Petition for Eviction with the Justice of the Peace Court (in person or online) if the tenant does not vacate or resolve the problem by the end of the notice period. The court will issue a Citation, which must be served on the tenant by a sheriff or constable (service fees apply).

The tenant has the option to file an Answer with the court to respond to the landlord’s claims (or provide the court with their response by phone or in person). After filing, the tenant must serve the Answer on the landlord in person, by mail, fax, or by email (if the landlord has agreed to email service in writing).

The parties will defend their claims at the hearing. If the tenant does not attend, the landlord will likely receive a Default Judgment, requiring that the tenant vacate the premises.

If both parties attend the hearing and the judge rules in favor of the landlord, the tenant must quit the premises within five days or appeal the case. If the tenant wins the case, the landlord may appeal the case within five days of the verdict.

If the tenant does not move out or appeal the case, the landlord can submit a Request for a Writ of Possession to the court. Once approved, the court will have the constable serve a Writ of Possession on the tenant (service fees apply). After the service, the tenant has 24 hours to vacate the premises or they will be removed by the sheriff or constable.