Empty Threat Eviction: Protecting Tenants from Unjust Evictions

Empty threat evictions are a growing problem in the United States, with landlords using the threat of eviction to intimidate and harass tenants without a legitimate reason. This practice is not only illegal, but it also has a devastating impact on the lives of tenants, who may be forced to move out of their homes, lose their jobs, and experience financial hardship.

The Extent of the Problem

According to a 2019 report by the Eviction Lab, an estimated 3.6 million households were evicted in the United States in 2016. Of those evictions, nearly one-quarter were "no-cause" evictions, meaning that the landlord did not provide a valid reason for the eviction.

The Impact of Empty Threat Evictions

Empty threat evictions can have a significant impact on the lives of tenants. In addition to the stress and anxiety of being threatened with eviction, tenants may also experience:

• Loss of housing
• Loss of employment
• Financial hardship
• Damage to credit history
• Negative impact on physical and mental health

Landlord Motivations

Landlords may use empty threat evictions for a variety of reasons, including:

• To intimidate tenants into paying rent or moving out
• To retaliate against tenants who exercise their rights
• To raise rents or convert the property to a more profitable use

Tenant Rights

Tenants have rights that protect them from empty threat evictions. These rights include:

• The right to due process
• The right to a fair hearing
• The right to legal representation

How to Fight an Empty Threat Eviction

If you are being threatened with eviction without a legitimate reason, you should take the following steps:

1. Document the threats: Keep a record of all communications with the landlord, including emails, text messages, and phone calls.
2. Contact a legal aid organization: There are many legal aid organizations that can provide free or low-cost legal assistance to tenants facing eviction.
3. File a complaint with the housing authority: The housing authority can investigate your complaint and take action against the landlord if necessary.

Three Humorous Stories and What We Can Learn

Story 1: A landlord threatened to evict a tenant for having a pet without permission. However, the tenant had a service animal, which is protected by law. The landlord quickly withdrew the eviction notice.

What we can learn: Landlords cannot evict tenants for having service animals.

Story 2: A landlord threatened to evict a tenant for not paying rent on time. However, the tenant had a rent subsidy that was delayed. The landlord agreed to accept the rent once the subsidy was received.

What we can learn: Landlords must consider financial assistance programs when evicting tenants for nonpayment of rent.

Story 3: A landlord threatened to evict a tenant for playing loud music. However, the music was below the legal noise limit. The landlord was forced to withdraw the eviction notice.

What we can learn: Landlords cannot evict tenants for making reasonable noise.

Tables

Table 1: Landlord Obligations

Table 2: Tenant Rights

Table 3: Resources for Tenants Facing Eviction

Call to Action

Empty threat evictions are a serious problem that can have a devastating impact on the lives of tenants. If you are being threatened with eviction without a legitimate reason, you should take action to protect your rights. Contact a legal aid organization or the housing authority for assistance.