How long does an eviction take is the key question every landlord asks when a tenant stops paying rent, and knowing this timeline helps landlords act quickly and legally. The eviction process begins with serving a written notice, such as a "pay or quit" or "notice to vacate," followed by filing an eviction lawsuit if the tenant does not comply. After a court hearing, if the landlord prevails, the sheriff schedules a lockout to remove the tenant. This process varies by state but generally takes from a few weeks to several months. To speed things up, landlords should keep detailed records, serve notices properly with proof of delivery, respond promptly to tenant communications, and review local landlord-tenant laws carefully. Using mediation services and hiring professional process servers
Jul 10, 2025
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