Eviction – it's a word that has immediate negative connotations. The baseline definition is: the court-ordered removal of a tenant from the property where they reside due to missed rent or breach of terms of the rental agreement. That alone doesn’t cover the emotional and financial costs of eviction, and the toll they can take on those facing it.
Princeton University’s Eviction Lab started the Eviction Tracking System in order to gather better data and provide more detailed reports on the state of eviction filings in the U.S., and what they’ve found is that a lot more people than you may think have faced or are facing eviction. As of July 2025, in the 10 states and 36 cities tracked, landlords have filed for 66,887 evictions just in the last month and over 1,000,000 evictions over the past year, and these filings disproportionately affect women, especially Black and Hispanic women.
If you’re one of these people faced with the potential for eviction, let’s walk through what to expect, what you can do, and how to get help.
I Am on the Verge of Eviction. What Should I Expect?
There are very specific, legal steps that need to be taken for an eviction, and knowing :
- First notice – You might already be at this point; your landlord is required to give you clear notice before they can kick you out. For nonpayment of rent, the length depends on the state, but usually ranges between 5-7 days. Oklahoma, for example, requires landlords serve tenants 5 days’ notice to pay or move out, but other states may require as little as two days.
- Court summons – If you don’t comply, either by paying or moving out, you’ll most likely get a summons to appear in eviction court. A lot of tenants ignore this summons or write it off as a lost cause, but it’s important that you don’t do that. A hearing can give you the chance to argue your case; most eviction filings are ruled in favor of landlords by default because the tenant did not show.
- Eviction hearing – If you can access legal aid or tenants’ rights assistance, they can be extremely helpful here. But you should at the very least bring any supporting documents and arguments in your favor.
- Judgement – Once the arguments are made, the judge will make a final decision on the case, whether that means siding with the landlord and issuing an eviction order, siding with the tenant and refusing eviction, or delaying eviction in favor of outlining a payment plan for the tenant to follow.
I Don’t Have the Money to Prevent My Eviction. What Can I Do?
First, know that you’re not alone; according to Eviction Lab, most evictions are filed because tenants cannot pay their rent. Whether you have already received a notice or are just in danger of receiving a notice, there are things you can do and resources available:
- Discuss potential repayment plans with your landlord – If you haven’t yet been given notice but have fallen behind in your rent, getting out ahead of the issue by sitting down with your landlord and talking about what’s been going on and how you could potentially rectify it could be the answer. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has tips on how to start that conversation.
- Look for ethical short-term loans – While predatory lenders are out there, there are also short-term lenders who can help you cover an emergency like a missed rent payment in a way that gives you the breathing room you need to get your feet under you. A good lender in a situation like this will work directly with you and offer flexible options based on your story and needs.
- Know your state and local rental laws – You might be unaware of potential rights and protections for renters that could benefit you and delay your eviction. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has listings of state field offices you can contact in order to get guidance and advice from housing specialists who know your area.
- Engage legal aid for your case – If you don’t have money for rent, you likely don’t have the extra funds to pay for a private attorney, but luckily, you don’t have to. Each state has legal aid services that offer no- and low-cost legal help for people facing eviction, as well as taxes, healthcare law, debt collection, disaster relief, and unemployment support.
- Read up on emergency rental assistance – There are a number of different government programs that can help with rent and payment plans with the aim of making it possible for people to stay in their homes. Call 211 or go online to 211.org to get comprehensive help with understanding your rights and locating potential resources. The Department of the Treasury, too, has two different Emergency Rental Assistance programs with different eligibility requirements that you might qualify for.
Eviction Doesn’t Have to Be Inevitable
It can feel like a whirlpool sucking you down: you get hit with financial emergencies and challenges; you suddenly can’t pay your rent and miss a payment; maybe it gets worse and you miss more than one payment; and now you’re awake at night, worried that you’ll soon be kicked out of your home. With no money in your bank account, it may feel like there’s nothing you can do to stop it, but there are options available. Know your process. Understand your rights. Reach out for help – whether that's legal services, assistance programs, or a short-term loan from a reliable lender like WithU Loans. Avoiding eviction is possible.
