term:

Eviction

eviction n

: the dispossession of a tenant of leased property by force or esp. by legal process

actual eviction
: eviction that involves the physical expulsion of a tenant

constructive eviction
: eviction effected by substantially interfering with a tenant's enjoyment of the property (as by allowing the property to become uninhabitable) so that the tenant is regarded as evicted under law

re·tal·ia·to·ry eviction
: wrongful eviction of a tenant in reaction to the tenant's exercising of a right (as of reporting health code violations) contrary to the landlord's interest

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.