evicts

Evicts is the third-person singular present tense of the verb evict, meaning to expel a person from a property through legal process. In housing law, eviction refers to the act by which a landlord or other property owner removes a tenant or occupant when lease terms are violated, rent is unpaid, or the tenancy ends. The term is commonly used in discussions of tenancy rights, landlord-tenant law, and housing policy.

Typically, the eviction process begins with a notice informing the tenant of a violation or of termination of the tenancy. If the issue is not resolved—such as nonpayment of rent or cure of a lease violation—the landlord can file a court action. A judge may issue an eviction order or writ of possession, sometimes allowing a grace period for the tenant to move or to appeal. Grounds and procedures vary by jurisdiction; some places require mediation, rent repayment plans, or prove of illegal activity before removal. Tenants often have legal defenses and access to counsel or aid programs.

Evictions can affect housing stability, credit records, and neighborhood dynamics. Public policy debates address balancing property rights with tenant protections, affordable housing, and homelessness prevention. Data on evictions are collected by governments and research organizations and are used to inform policy and enforcement practices.