Eviction, in law, is an action that deprives a tenant of the use of leased premises, such as an apartment or an office. An eviction can occur if either the tenant or the landlord violates the lease. A landlord may evict a tenant who owes rent or has substantially failed in some other way to meet the lease obligations. Such obligations include not disturbing other tenants. On the other hand, the landlord may have made the premises unfit for the tenant’s use. For example, the landlord may have refused to make repairs that were necessary for the tenant’s comfort and safety. In such cases, the tenant no longer must pay rent if he or she abandons the premises within a reasonable time.
