How long does an eviction take in the US?
Uncontested evictions commonly take 3–6 weeks; contested ones take 2–3 months or more. The timeline is the notice period, plus filing and serving the unlawful-detainer, the hearing, the writ of possession, and the Sheriff lockout. Tenant-friendly jurisdictions such as New York run considerably longer than Texas or Florida.
How many days notice must I give before eviction?
For non-payment, many states require a 3-day pay-or-quit notice (California, Texas, Florida), while New York requires 14 days and Illinois 5 days. No-fault terminations usually require 30–60 days. Always confirm the exact period in your state statute and any local rent-control ordinance.
What is a writ of possession?
After a landlord wins the eviction (unlawful detainer) judgment, the court issues a writ of possession authorizing the Sheriff to remove the tenant. The tenant is usually given a short window (often 24 hours to a few days) before the Sheriff performs the lockout.
Can I change the locks to evict a tenant?
No. Every state prohibits 'self-help' evictions — changing locks, removing belongings, or cutting utilities. You must obtain a court judgment and let the Sheriff enforce it. Illegal lockouts expose the landlord to statutory damages and the tenant's attorney fees.