All states prohibit the self-help eviction of residents. Self-help eviction includes acts aimed at forcefully evicting the resident and involves actions such as locking out the resident, ordering the him to leave, terminating utilities such as water and electricity , removing doors and windows or throwing out the resident's possessions. A resident has a right against these actions and also has the right to sue an invitee who engages in self-help eviction tactics.
A resident has the right to notice of termination from a landlord or person acting on his behalf, ie, the invitee. A termination notice is required even in the event that the resident has not violated the residential agreement. A notice informs the resident of the invitee's or landlord's intention to repossess the property and the reasons why this is being done. The invitee does not necessarily need a cause to repossess his property, but must notify the resident in advance. The resident has the right to a reasonable amount of time to respond to the notice.
According to the Fair Housing Act, housing discrimination by landlords or those acting on their behalf is illegal. Invitees cannot engage in discriminatory acts against the resident and cannot evict him on the basis of sex, nationality, race, family status, disability or religion. If a resident has reason to believe that an invitee wants to evict him on the basis of these factors, he should report this to the Department of Housing and Urban Development by calling 1-800-669-9777 or by visiting the department's website.
Residents have the right to initiate due process in court when an invitee engages in arbitrary and illegal eviction. The resident may file a civil lawsuit in the county court for acts such as self-help eviction tactics, discrimination and failure to receive notice from the invitee. The invitee may be asked to pay damages for the loss she has caused the resident. However it is important to note that the invitee may also be allowed to repossess her property after the lawsuit.