A tenant who is illegally evicted can either sue the landlord (either in civil court or small claims court) or use the illegal eviction as a defense or countersuit to an eviction lawsuit. After trying to illegally evict a tenant, the landlord might decide to go to court and bring an eviction lawsuit against the tenant.

Can I sue for false eviction?

You cannot merely kick your tenant out on the street, regardless of whether your reasons for eviction are valid. If you wrongfully evict a tenant from your rental property, they can sue you for incurred damages related to the eviction, court costs, attorney fees, and much more.

What is unfair eviction?

A wrongful eviction occurs when a landlord forces a tenant to move out without going through the formal, legal eviction process. Examples include telling a tenant to move out, changing the locks on a tenant’s home, or shutting off a tenant’s utilities/electricity.

Is wrongful eviction a crime?

Yes, evictions are categorized as civil cases. There may be criminal issues that arise from an eviction such as illegal activities by the tenant or harassment by a landlord. There may be illegal eviction penalties imposed on a landlord. These will vary by location.

Can I fight an eviction notice?

If you want to fight the eviction you must go to court. Make sure you bring any court papers you have, as well as your lease or rental agreement, if you have one. Your landlord can go to court to try to evict you even if you think your landlord is wrong.

Can you go to jail for eviction?

No, you will not go to jail for failing to pay your rent. You will though, probably have a judgment entered against you for monies you may owe the landlord.

Can I sue my landlord for defamation of character?

You could sue your former landlord for defamation. Defamation is a false statement made with knowledge of its falsity communicated to a third person who recognizes the defamatory content and the statement is injurious to your reputation. Slander is spoken defamation. Libel is writeen defamation.

Can a landlord evict you without a court order?

Without a court order called the Warrant of Eviction, your landlord can’t evict you from your home. Your landlord violates the law if she does so.

What a landlord Cannot do?

A landlord cannot evict a tenant without an adequately obtained eviction notice and sufficient time. A landlord cannot retaliate against a tenant for a complaint. A landlord cannot forego completing necessary repairs or force a tenant to do their own repairs. A landlord cannot remove a tenant’s personal belongings.