Eviction is always a court process, not a landlord's decision
No matter what your lease says or how far behind you are, only a court can actually order your removal from a rental unit. A landlord who wants you out has to start with a written notice, then — if you don't comply — file a lawsuit (often called an "unlawful detainer" or "summary possession" proceeding) and get a judge to sign off. Skipping straight to changing the locks or moving your things out isn't a shortcut a landlord is allowed to take.
What the notice has to say
The type of notice depends on why the landlord wants you out. A notice over unpaid rent is usually a "pay or quit" notice: it has to state the amount owed and give you a window to pay it before anything else happens. See what is a pay or quit notice for how that specific notice works. A notice over a lease violation is often a "cure or quit" notice, giving you a chance to fix the problem — like removing an unauthorized pet or getting your guest to stop violating occupancy limits. For a serious violation some states allow an "unconditional quit" notice with no chance to fix it at all. California's unlawful detainer statute, for example, requires the amount-owed notice to specify the sum due and give a set number of days before the landlord can even file suit (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2)).
What comes after the notice
If the notice period passes without you paying, fixing the violation, or moving out, the landlord's next step is filing in court, not showing up with new locks. You'll be served with the lawsuit and given a chance to respond and appear before a judge. Only if the landlord wins does the court issue an order — typically a "writ of possession" — that authorizes a sheriff or similar officer to physically remove you if you still haven't left. The specific deadlines at each stage are set by your state, so if you're facing this right now, check your state court's self-help pages or a local legal aid office rather than guessing at a national timeline.
Self-help evictions are illegal everywhere
Changing your locks, removing your door, shutting off your electricity or water, or hauling your belongings to the curb without a court order is what's called a "self-help eviction," and it's against the law regardless of how much rent you owe. California's Civil Code, for example, makes a landlord who does this liable for your actual damages plus a per-day penalty for as long as the violation continues (Cal. Civ. Code § 789.3). Many other states have similar penalties written into their own landlord-tenant statutes. If this happens to you, call the police right away and explain that you've been illegally locked out — and see can my landlord lock me out of my apartment for the specific steps to take.
You have the right to respond in court
Getting served with an eviction notice or lawsuit doesn't mean the outcome is decided. You have the right to appear in court and raise a defense — for example, that the landlord never actually served proper notice, that you already paid or fixed the issue, that the unit has unresolved habitability problems, or that the eviction is retaliation for something like reporting a code violation. Missing your court date is one of the most common ways renters lose a case they might otherwise have won, so mark it and show up even if you're unsure what to say.
What to do right now if you got a notice
Read the notice carefully for the exact amount, deadline, and reason given — errors in any of these can be a defense. Don't ignore it hoping it goes away. If you can cure it (pay the rent, fix the violation), do so within the window and keep proof. If you can't, contact a local legal aid organization immediately; many offer free eviction defense and can tell you exactly what your state's process requires next.