Outline of the Eviction Process in Alaska

1. Grounds for Eviction

• Legal reasons required:
  • Non-payment of rent.
  • Lease violation (e.g., unauthorized occupants, property damage).
  • Illegal activity (e.g., drug-related conduct, violence).
  • End of lease term (fixed-term or month-to-month).
  • No-fault eviction (e.g., landlord wants to sell, occupy, or renovate).
• Law: Alaska Stat. § 34.03.010 to § 34.03.360 (Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act).

2. Notice to Quit

• Written notice served:
  • Non-payment: 7-day notice to pay or vacate.
  • Lease violation: 10-day notice to cure (if curable) or vacate.
  • Month-to-month: 30-day notice to terminate.
  • No-fault/end of lease: 30-day (month-to-month) or 90-day (e.g., owner occupancy).
  • Illegal activity: 5-day notice (no cure for serious violations).
• Delivery: Hand-delivered, certified mail, or posted with mailed copy.
• Tenant can cure by paying rent (within 7 days) or fixing violation (within 10 days, if curable).

3. Filing the Eviction Case

• File Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) in District or Superior Court.
• Documents: Complaint, Notice to Quit, lease, proof of service.
• Fee: ~$150–$200 (varies by court).
• Timing: After notice period expires (e.g., 8th day for 7-day notice).

4. Serving the Summons and Complaint

• Peace officer or process server serves papers 2 days (non-payment/violations) or 5 days (other reasons) before hearing.
• Methods: Personal delivery, left with resident and mailed, or posted and mailed.
• Tenant must file answer or appear at hearing to contest.

5. Court Hearing

• Held 7–15 days after filing.
• Landlord presents evidence; tenant raises defenses (e.g., improper notice, uninhabitable conditions).
• Outcomes: Eviction granted, case dismissed, or agreement (e.g., payment plan).

6. Judgment and Execution

• Writ of Assistance if landlord wins.
• Appeal: 2 days (requires bond).
• Writ issued: ~3–7 days post-judgment; peace officer serves 24-hour notice to vacate.

7. Physical Eviction

• Peace officer removes tenant; landlord stores belongings (15 days).
• Tenant can reclaim property by paying storage costs.
• Law: Alaska Stat. § 34.03.260.

8. Tenant Protections

• Rights:
  • Cure violations (7 days for rent, 10 days for lease issues), defenses (retaliation, discrimination, uninhabitable conditions).
  • No self-help evictions (landlord penalties up to 2x rent or damages).
• Resources:
  • Alaska Legal Services (800-478-2622), alsc-law.org, alaska.gov.

Notes

• Disclaimer: General guide; consult a lawyer.
• Sources: Alaska Stat. § 34.03.010 to § 34.03.360; courts.alaska.gov; alsc-law.org.