As a tenant, eviction help may seem to be in short supply during this burdensome process. However, tenants should understand that throughout this process, the laws regarding eviction are clear, and taking advantage of these laws can be beneficial. To begin with, tenants should know that they must first violate the lease to be evicted. If eviction does take place, a very specific legal process must be followed - landlords cannot evict tenants by means of changing locks, stealing your belongings, or any other "self help" methods. In order to evict legally, the landlord must provide adequate notice as well as a reason for eviction. During this step, tenants can settle with their landlord to prevent a court trial from happening. If the tenant has faulted on nonpayment of rent, for example, fulfilling debts can stop a trial before it starts. In the event that a trial is needed, knowing these laws and having evidence of your lease and agreements can serve as a defense in court.