unlawful detainer

An 'unlawful detainer' involves a tenant remaining in a property without the owner's consent, typically after a lease has expired or been terminated.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

(legal, formal)A legal action taken by a property owner to regain possession from an occupant who remains without permission after a lease has ended.

The landlord filed an unlawful detainer to evict the tenant who refused to leave after the lease expired.
Unlawful detainer cases are common when tenants overstay their welcome without legal rights.

(legal, formal)The act of staying in a property without legal right, especially after a lease has expired or a tenancy has been terminated.

The tenant's unlawful detainer forced the landlord to seek legal help.
An unlawful detainer can complicate the process of regaining property possession.