Evicting a tenant is never an easy situation. For landlords, it can be stressful, time-consuming, and confusing. Laws protect both tenants and property owners, which means evictions must follow clear legal steps. Understanding the legal grounds and procedures helps landlords avoid mistakes and resolve issues the right way.
Common Legal Grounds for Eviction
Landlords cannot evict a tenant for just any reason. Evictions must be based on legal grounds. One of the most common reasons is non-payment of rent. When rent is late or unpaid for a certain period, landlords may start the eviction process.
Another reason is lease violations. This includes having unauthorized pets, extra occupants, property damage, or illegal activity. Some evictions also happen after a lease expires if the tenant refuses to move out. In all cases, the reason must follow local and state laws.
Proper Notice Comes First
Before filing an eviction, landlords must give proper notice. This notice explains what the tenant did wrong and how much time they have to fix the problem or move out. For example, a pay-or-quit notice gives the tenant a chance to pay overdue rent before court action begins.
Notices must be written correctly and delivered the right way. If the notice is done wrong, the eviction case can be delayed or dismissed.
Filing an Eviction Case
If the tenant does not comply after notice, the landlord can file an eviction case with the court. This starts the legal process. The tenant has the right to respond and may attend a hearing. A judge reviews the facts and decides whether the eviction is allowed.
Self-help evictions, such as changing locks or shutting off utilities, are illegal. These actions can lead to fines or lawsuits against the landlord.
Court Orders and Removal
If the landlord wins the case, the court issues an eviction order. Only law enforcement can remove a tenant if they do not leave on their own. This step ensures the eviction is handled safely and legally.
How Siddiqi Law Group PC Helps
At Siddiqi Law Group PC, we guide landlords through every step of the eviction process. We make sure notices are correct, deadlines are met, and cases follow the law. By working with our legal team, we help landlords protect their property, avoid costly mistakes, and move forward with confidence.
This post was written by a professional at Siddiqi Law Group PC. Siddiqi Law Group PC is a trusted real estate and landlord-tenant law firm in New York, serving Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. With over 40 years of combined experience, our landlord lawyers and tenant eviction attorneys handle holdover and non-payment cases, building violations, fire code issues, deed transfers, and real estate closings. Whether you’re a property owner or tenant, our team provides clear guidance and efficient representation. Contact Siddiqi Law Group PC for an experienced landlord lawyer in NYC you can trust.
