Just cause eviction, also known as good cause eviction, describes laws that aim to provide tenants protection from unreasonable evictions, rent hikes, and non-renewal of lease agreements. These laws allow tenants to challenge evictions in court that are not for "legitimate" reasons.[1] Generally, landlords oppose just-cause eviction laws due to concerns over profit, housing stock,[2] and court cases.[3]
New Jersey was the first state to pass a just-cause eviction law in 1974.[1] Interest in these laws has grown in recent years with California passing a just-cause eviction law in 2019[4] and Oregon passing a bill enumerating valid causes for evicting tenants the same year.[5]Washington passed a similar bill in 2021.[6]
The New York State legislature considered a similar bill in its 2023 legislative session. Senate Housing Chair Brian Kavanagh explained his belief that just-cause laws are "basically the notion that you can't be evicted if you're paying your rent and meet your obligations as a tenant. You can't be evicted for no good reason."[7]
Some cities also have similar ordinances for tenants.[3]
Federal programs
Good cause is also required for evicting a tenant in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program,[8] although the definition of what constitutes a "good cause" has fluctuated over time[9][10] and can be defined by state and local governments.[11]
