Can a landlord just kick you out without a eviction notice?

not unless he wants me to sue him for lots o money!

claiborne

No they cannot.  No matter what they feel that a tenant has done wrong, is is unlawful for them to use a "self-help" style eviction.  Any landlord who is tempted to take the law into their own hands opens themselves up to both criminal and civil penalties.  Shortcuts such as threats, intimidation, utility shutoffs or attempts to physically remove a tenant are illegal and dangerous, and anyone who resorts to them may well find themselves on the wrong end of a lawsuit for trespass, assault, battery, slander and libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress and wrongful eviction.  A formal eviction procedure is the only legal game in town.