Step-by-step eviction guides for landlords in every U.S. state. Notice periods, court procedures, filing fees, and timelines.
Eviction is a state-level legal process. The federal government sets some baseline tenant protections, but the actual rules — how much notice you give, which court you file in, what forms you use, how long the process takes — are determined entirely by your state. A landlord in Texas operates under completely different rules than a landlord in California, and a landlord in North Carolina has more in common procedurally with a landlord in Virginia than with a landlord in New York.
Each guide below covers the essentials for one state: the notice periods you must give, the court you file in, the typical timeline from first notice to physical possession, the cost to file, and the common pitfalls that get cases dismissed. Use the guide for your state as your starting point. For full statutory text and county-by-county breakdowns, follow the links to the comprehensive landlord-tenant law database.
Each state guide walks through the same areas: how the state structures its eviction process, what notice you must give before filing, where and how to file, what to expect at the hearing, county-specific considerations, and what happens after the judgment. The format is consistent so you can compare states or refresh on procedure quickly.
These guides are written for landlords managing the process directly or working with property managers. They are not legal advice, and they don't replace consulting an attorney for contested or complex cases. For full statutory text and county-by-county breakdowns of landlord-tenant law, see the comprehensive state-by-state landlord-tenant law database.