What are my rights if my landlord starts the eviction process?

Behind on rent and worried my landlord is about to try to evict me. What actually has to happen before I could be forced out?

Eviction rules vary a lot by state and even by city, but a few things are broadly true in the US: a landlord almost never has the legal right to just change your locks, remove your belongings, or shut off utilities to force you out (these are usually illegal "self-help" evictions) — they generally have to go through the court system. That process typically starts with a written notice giving you a set number of days to pay or fix the issue, and only if that period passes does the landlord file an actual eviction case in court, where you have the right to respond and appear. Not showing up to that court date is one of the biggest mistakes tenants make, even if you know you owe the rent — showing up preserves your ability to negotiate a payment plan or more time. Many areas have free tenant rights hotlines or legal aid organizations specifically for this, and some have emergency rental assistance programs — it's worth searching for both in your specific city/county before the court date, not after.