Eviction
High RiskThe legal process by which a landlord ends a tenancy and removes a tenant, requiring a valid reason, proper notice, and — over the tenant's objection — an order from the tenancy tribunal or court.
In Plain English
Eviction is the formal, legal way a landlord can make a tenant leave — and it's a process, not a single act. The landlord needs a valid reason (like unpaid rent or their own use), must serve the right notice, and if you don't agree, must get an order from the tribunal. Only then can an official (sheriff or bailiff) enforce it. A landlord who changes the locks or removes your things without an order is acting illegally.
Why It Matters for Tenants
Understanding that eviction requires due process is a tenant's strongest protection. Many 'evictions' tenants comply with were never valid — and for non-payment, paying what you owe within the window often cancels the whole thing.
Risk Level
High risk because it threatens your housing. But the process has many checkpoints where a tenant can pay, dispute, or defend — knowing them changes outcomes.
Example Clause
The Landlord may terminate this tenancy only for a reason permitted by residential tenancy legislation, and may not recover possession of the unit except by order of the tribunal or court.
This is a representative example for educational purposes. Actual lease language varies.
Common Mistakes Tenants Make
- Moving out when a notice period expires, before any tribunal order exists
- Not paying arrears within the window that would cancel a non-payment eviction
- Ignoring a hearing notice instead of attending to present a defence
Provincial and State Variations
Every province requires a tribunal or court order to evict over a tenant's objection — the LTB (Ontario), RTB (BC), RTDRS (Alberta), TAL (Quebec), and equivalents elsewhere. Non-payment notice periods and pay-and-stay rights vary; see our eviction notice periods comparison.