Eviction; e•vic•tion
/əˈvikSHən/
noun
the action of expelling someone, especially a tenant, from a property; expulsion.
A month has passed since Helene and rent and mortgages are due. We are already hearing stories of people receiving eviction notices, worrying about missing mortgage payments, and fearing that on top of everything, they may soon be forced to leave their homes.
We believe everyone deserves to stay home. Please fill out this short survey to help us get a sense of how deep this crisis is. We may be able to connect you with information and/or resources. Thank you
RENT WAS DUE ON THE 1ST
The eviction process typically takes 3 weeks. Where are you in the process?
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Tenants have the following protections under North Carolina law:
- Landlords must take their tenants to court to evict them. Self-help measures, like changing the locks, stopping the utilities, etc. are not an acceptable form of eviction.
- In North Carolina, only the Sheriff’s Office can evict tenants, and only after the Court has entered a judgement against them and the Clerk issues a “Writ of Possession.”
- The landlord does not have the right to take a tenant’s belongings before an eviction event if a tenant owers rent.
- The landlord is NOT allowed to change locks, turn off utilities, or other things to force a tenant to move without going through the court process first.
WHO TO CALL FOR HELP
We are already hearing stories of people receiving eviction notices, worrying about missing mortgage payments, and fearing that, on top of everything, they may soon be forced to leave their homes.
We believe everyone deserves to stay home. Please fill out this short survey to help us get a sense of how deep this crisis is. We may be able to connect you with information and/or resources.
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Contact Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Housing Helpline for help with eviction, landlords refusing rental assistance, mobile home evictions, public and subsidized housing lease terminations, repairs and maintenance, and other landlord-tenant issues.
Call 1-877-201-6426, Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4:00pm.
Online applications are also available at http://www.legalaidnc.org.
North Carolina Bar Foundation
North Carolina Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice clinic in which qualifying users post civil legal questions at no cost to be answered by pro bono attorneys licensed in their state.
https://nc.freelegalanswers.org/
Local Resources
Avery, Buncombe, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, and Yancey Counties:
Pisgah Legal Services (828-253-0406 or visit www.pisgahlegal.org/free-legal-assistance/)
Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania Counties:
The Mediation Center (828-251-6089 ext. 214)
Keep WNC Home 