The full explanation
To evict you, the landlord must follow the legal process: written notice, a court case and a judge's order. Most states prohibit removing or shutting out a tenant without a court order. Depending on your state's law, you may be able to get back into the home, end the lease or recover damages.
An example
Rosa gets home from work and her key no longer works: the landlord changed the lock because she owes this month's rent. There is no court order. Rosa immediately looks for free legal aid to learn her rights in her state.
You will see it in…
- Your state's tenant rights guides
- Complaints to your state's housing office or attorney general
- Our eviction timeline tool, under “What the landlord cannot do”
