Under typical landlord-tenant law, what is the standard first step before eviction for nonpayment of rent?

• A. The landlord must file a lawsuit immediately without notice.
• B. The landlord must issue a formal eviction order from a government agency.
• C. The landlord must give proper written notice and, if required, pursue court action.
• D. The landlord can remove tenant's belongings immediately.

Answer: (C)

The essential idea is due process: you can’t kick a tenant out without giving them a proper chance to respond. For nonpayment of rent, the first step is to provide a proper written notice that tells the tenant the amount owed and the deadline to pay or vacate. This notice creates a formal opportunity to cure the default. If the tenant doesn’t pay or cure within that period, the landlord can then pursue court action to obtain an eviction order. The eviction is then carried out only under a court process and, if necessary, by an authorized official. Self-help steps like removing belongings or changing the locks without a court order are not permitted. So the correct approach combines the required written notice with, if needed, follow-up to obtain a court-directed eviction.