Can A Landlord Evict You For No Reason?
No, a landlord cannot evict a tenant for no reason. Every state in the USA requires landlord's to provide a valid reasoning for evicting a tenant, such as non-payment of rent, violating lease terms, or engaging in illegal activity on the leased property. Any of these items can result in the legal eviction of a tenant. Additionally, any tenants who remain on a property after a lease has ended may face eviction if they do not vacate in a timely manner.
However, some local jurisdictions do allow “no-cause” or “no-fault” evictions. In these cases, a landlord can terminate a lease without providing specific reasoning. For this reason, it is always best to consult local legislation governing landlord-tenant relationships when faced with an eviction.
Reasons to Evict A Tenant / Terminate A Lease
- Non-Payment of Rent
- Engaging in Illegal Activity
- Harboring Unauthorized Pets
- Allowing Unauthorized Roommates
1. Non-Payment of Rent
The most common reason for evicting a tenant is non-payment of rent. If a tenant does not pay rent on the agreed-upon date or during the agreed-upon grace period, a landlord may choose to terminate the lease and begin the eviction process.
2. Engaging in Illegal Activity
Landlords can also terminate your lease and evict you if you engage in illegal activities. For example, using the property for illegal activities, such as illicit drug use, can result in the termination of a rental agreement.
3. Harboring Unauthorized Pets
Unless specifically enumerated and authorized within the rental agreement, pets are generally not allowed within a rented space. It is best to let the landlord know before bringing pets into a rented property.
4. Allowing Unauthorized Roommates
The only tenants who are allowed to rent the leased space are those who have signed the lease or have otherwise been approved by the landlord. Bringing in unauthorized tenants can lead to lease termination.
When Can A Landlord Terminate A Lease?
A landlord can terminate both month-to-month and long-term leases early if any part of the rental agreement has been violated. Examples of violations that could result in lawful termination of a lease include nonpayment of rent, engaging in illegal activity on the premises, and violating the lease terms. To understand all violations that can cause the termination of a lease, it is best to thoroughly read each individual lease agreement.
Here's when a landlord can terminate a month-to-month lease as well as a long-term lease.
Month-To-Month Leases
A month-to-month lease is a type of rental agreement between a landlord and a tenant that does not involve a specific end date. The lease automatically renews at the end of each month unless either party gives appropriate notice to terminate the rental agreement.
Every state has different rules regarding the lawful termination of a month-to-month leasing contract. However, generally speaking, a landlord must give at least a 30-day notice before evicting a month-to-month tenant. Some states, such as Georgia, even require a sixty-day notice.
In most states, a 30-day notice also applies to the tenant if they wish to break their lease. Neither party can lawfully end the lease without proper notice.
Long-Term Leases
Long-term leases differ from month-to-month leases in that they do have a specific end date — generally either 6 months or 12 months from the starting date. This type of lease will not automatically renew at the end of the contract; instead, an entirely new rental agreement will need to be signed in order for a tenant to remain on the property. At the end of the lease, a landlord may decide that they do not wish to rent the property anymore. Generally speaking, no specific notice is required for non-renewal of a lease.
However, if a landlord wishes to end a lease early, they must generally give a 30-day notice and proper reasoning for the termination of the contract.
Can A Landlord Evict You Without A Court Order?
No, generally speaking, forcible evictions of any kind are considered unlawful in most states. This includes physically removing a tenant from a rented property, changing the locks, or any other forceful act. In fact, these actions can sometimes lead to a tenant winning an eviction lawsuit.
To ensure that a tenant is evicted as quickly as possible, a landlord must abide by laws set by the local court system. The eviction process can take anywhere between several weeks to a few months to complete.
Can a Landlord Evict You For No Reason Bottom Line
Though there are jurisdictional exceptions to this rule, a landlord who is involved in either a long-term lease or month-to-month lease generally cannot end a rental agreement or evict you without citing proper cause. “Proper cause,” in this case, means violation of the lease terms, such as non-payment of rent, engaging in illegal activity, or any other term violations.