The Eviction Process
How it works:
You don't have to leave when you get the eviction notice.
After the eviction expires, your landlord still must ask a judge's permission to evict you. The request is called a "landlord & tenant writ." The sheriff will bring the writ to your home.
You do not have to move out when you get the landlord & tenant writ.
Know your rights:
Do you want to fight the eviction? Tell the court.
To do this, you must file an "Appearance" with the court. The "Appearance" is a simple, one-page form the court should send you, or you can get it at the court.
Click this button to fill out your Appearance form right now.
You MUST return the form to the court by the "return day" on the first page of the landlord & tenant writ. You can hand-deliver or mail the form to the court. Allow at least 2 days for delivery if you mail it.
Court date:
Once the court gets your appearance form, it will send you a "notice of hearing." This will have the date and time of your hearing.
Talk to the judge:
Attend the hearing!
At your hearing, tell the judge why you should not be evicted. If you need help with what to say, call 603 Legal Aid at 1-800-639-5290 or 603-224-3333 or apply online.
Even if there is no legal defense against the eviction, you can ask the judge for up to 90 days to move.
What if you lose?
If the landlord wins, the judge will sign a "writ of possession." You do not have to leave until the sheriff brings the writ to your home. Read about what happens next.
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Date: February 2021Author:NHLA