The eviction process starts with serving a notice to quit on the tenant. The notice informs the tenant of how much time they have to resolve the issue (if applicable) or leave the property.

• 5-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Payment
• 30-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance
• Immediate Notice to Quit for Illegal Activity
• 30-Day Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Lease

To set a hearing, the landlord must file a Summons for Unlawful Detainer with the General District Court, along with proof that a notice was delivered to the tenant. The court will then serve the Summons on the tenant, requiring them to appear in court.

Both parties must attend the hearing to state their claims. If the tenant fails to attend or admits to the landlord’s claims, the judge will order them to vacate. If the court rules in the landlord’s favor, the tenant will have 10 days to appeal by posting an appeal bond.

Once the appeal period ends, the landlord can obtain a Request for Writ of Eviction in UDP to evict the tenant.

In the majority of cases, a decision will be ruled at the hearing. However, the judge may decide to schedule an additional trial if the tenant contests the amount of rent/damages owed and more deliberation is needed.

The Writ of Eviction will be sent to the sheriff, who will then serve it on the tenant, along with a notice of when the eviction will occur. In some cases, the tenant may still resolve the issue and avoid eviction before the scheduled date.

On the day of the eviction, the landlord will have a locksmith change the unit’s locks. The landlord may choose to give an additional 24 hours to remove their possessions from the property (after which they will be forfeited), or they may remove the tenant’s possessions themselves under the sheriff’s supervision.