Just Cause Legislation: A Comparison Across Seven States

Just cause tenant protections — also referred to as “good cause” or “for cause” — are designed to prevent arbitrary, retaliatory, or discriminatory evictions by establishing that landlords can only evict renters for specific reasons. While many cities have just cause ordinances, there has been a surge of state-level legislation in recent years. California and Oregon legislatures passed statewide just cause in 2019, Washington passed it in 2021, and both Colorado and New York passed it in the 2024 legislative session. These states join New Jersey and New Hampshire, who passed just cause legislation in 1974 and 2015, respectively. 

This tool is designed to help advocates compare and contrast each state’s just cause legislation. It has also been translated into Spanish and French. 

• The most common just causes for eviction are nonpayment of rent; substantial violation; material violation of lease; and nuisance, disturbance, or negligent damage to property.
   

• The most common no fault causes for eviction are demolition or conversion of residential premises; substantial repairs or renovations; landlord or landlord’s family member assumes occupancy; withdrawal from rental market for purposes of selling; and refusal to sign new lease with reasonable terms.