Just Cause Eviction

These laws allow tenants to challenge evictions in court that are not for "legitimate" reasons. Generally, landlords oppose just-cause eviction laws due to concerns over profit, housing stock, and court cases.

New Jersey was the first state to pass a just-cause eviction law in 1974. Interest in these laws has grown in recent years with California passing a just-cause eviction law in 2019 and Oregon passing a bill enumerating valid causes for evicting tenants the same year. Washington passed a similar bill in 2021.

The New York State legislature considered a similar bill in its 2023 legislative session. Senate Housing Chair Brian Kavanagh explained his belief that just-cause laws are "basically the notion that you can't be evicted if you're paying your rent and meet your obligations as a tenant. You can't be evicted for no good reason."

Some cities also have similar ordinances for tenants.

Federal programs

Good cause is also required for evicting a tenant in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, although the definition of what constitutes a "good cause" has fluctuated over time and can be defined by state and local governments.

In England and Wales, a Section 21 notice allows landlords to evict tenants with no cause. The Renter's Reform Bill was proposed on May 17, 2023, to ban no-cause evictions.

• Rent regulation
• Tenants union