1. Notice of Non-Payment or Lease Violation:
- If a tenant fails to pay rent or violates any terms of the lease agreement, the landlord may issue a "Notice to Quit" or "Notice of Non-Compliance".
- This notice specifies the amount of rent due (if applicable), the violation, and a deadline for the tenant to remedy the situation (usually within 7 to 14 days).
2. Failure to Comply:
- If the tenant does not pay the rent or resolve the lease violation within the specified time, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit in court.
3. Filing of Eviction Complaint:
- The landlord will file an eviction complaint at the appropriate court, along with supporting documentation such as the lease agreement, rent receipts, and the Notice to Quit.
4. Court Hearing:
- The court will schedule a hearing for both parties to present their cases.
- The tenant may have the option to file an answer to the complaint or seek legal counsel if they wish to contest the eviction.
5. Default Judgment:
- If the tenant does not appear at the hearing or fails to respond to the complaint within the required timeframe, the court may grant the landlord a "default judgment" in their favor, resulting in the eviction of the tenant.
6. Order of Eviction:
- If the landlord wins the case and the tenant is found to be in breach of the lease, the court will issue an "Order of Eviction".
7. Execution of the Eviction:
- Once the Order of Eviction is issued, the landlord must enforce it through the local sheriff or constable's office.
- The eviction process involves the physical removal of the tenant and their belongings from the property.
8. Appeals:
- In some cases, the tenant may have the right to appeal the eviction decision to a higher court.
- However, the timeline for appeals can vary, and the eviction may still be enforced during the appeals process.
It's important to note that the timeline provided above is a general overview, and the actual duration of the eviction process may vary based on the complexities of the case and the efficiency of the court system.