Eviction is a formal legal process that a landlord must follow to remove a tenant from a rental property. In Texas, this process is often referred to as a “forcible detainer” or “summary process,” and it cannot be done informally or without court involvement.

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It typically begins with a written notice to the tenant, giving them a set amount of time to fix the issue—such as paying overdue rent—or move out. If the tenant does not comply, the landlord can file a case in court. A hearing is then scheduled where both sides can present their case, and a judge decides whether the eviction is legally justified.

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Evictions most commonly occur for reasons like failure to pay rent, violating lease terms (such as having unauthorized pets or causing repeated disturbances), engaging in illegal activity on the property, or remaining in the unit after the lease has ended without permission. If the court rules in favor of the landlord, the tenant may be ordered to leave, and law enforcement can enforce the removal if necessary.

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Because eviction becomes part of a tenant’s record, it can make it more difficult to rent housing in the future, which is why understanding the process and responding early is important.