Alaska (AK) eviction guide
Quick answer
To evict a tenant in Alaska, serve a written notice (as short as 7 days for nonpayment of rent), wait for the deadline, then file a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) complaint in the district court closest to the rental property. The filing fee is $150, and the full process from notice to lockout typically takes 3 to 8 weeks depending on whether the tenant contests the case.
| Legal grounds | Nonpayment of rent, lease violation, illegal activity, end of tenancy |
|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 7 days (nonpayment of rent) |
| Where to file | Alaska District Court (courthouse closest to the rental) |
| Filing fee | About $150 |
| Typical timeframe | 3 to 8 weeks |
Used for nonpayment of rent; tenant must pay in full or vacate within 7 days or the landlord may file in court.
Used for a curable lease violation; tenant has 10 days to fix the problem or the tenancy terminates.
Used when the tenant causes or threatens serious physical harm or engages in criminal activity on the premises.
Used to end a month-to-month tenancy without cause; either party may give 30 days written notice.
| Step | Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Serve Written Notice | 7 to 30 days | Deliver the correct notice in person or by certified mail and wait the full notice period before filing anything. |
| 2. File FED Complaint with the Court | 1 to 2 days | Submit a Forcible Entry and Detainer complaint (form CIV-730) and summons (CIV-105) at the district courthouse with the $150 filing fee. |
| 3. Serve the Tenant with Court Papers | 1 to 5 days | The tenant must be personally served or served by certified mail at least 2 days before the scheduled hearing. |
| 4. Attend the Eviction Hearing | Within 15 days of filing | The court schedules a hearing within 15 days of filing; bring your lease, notices, and any payment records. |
| 5. Obtain the Judgment for Possession | Same day to 1 week | If the judge rules in your favor, the court issues a Judgment for Possession; if the tenant does not appear, you can request a default judgment. |
| 6. Enforce the Writ of Assistance | 1 to 2 weeks after judgment | If the tenant refuses to leave, request a Writ of Assistance and law enforcement will schedule and carry out the physical removal. |
Filing the eviction complaint costs about $150 at the district court; service fees through a process server typically add $50 to $100. If you hire an attorney, expect an additional $500 to $2,000 depending on whether the tenant contests the case.
Once a judge issues a Judgment for Possession, the landlord may request a Writ of Assistance from the court if the tenant will not leave voluntarily. The writ authorizes a local law enforcement officer (not the landlord) to physically remove the tenant and their belongings. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order) is illegal in Alaska and exposes the landlord to liability.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: AS 34.03 (Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act); AS 09.45.060-105 (Forcible Entry and Detainer). Self-help eviction is illegal everywhere; always follow the court process.
Alaska eviction FAQ
Most Alaska evictions take **3 to 8 weeks** from the date notice is served to the date a tenant is removed. Simple nonpayment cases with no tenant response can finish in as little as 3 weeks; contested cases or cases involving a hearing can stretch to 8 weeks or more.
The court filing fee is **about $150**. Add $50 to $100 for process service, and potentially $500 to $2,000 in attorney fees if the tenant fights the eviction. Budget roughly $300 to $500 for an uncontested case and up to $2,500 or more if litigation is needed.
No. Alaska law requires a court order before a tenant can be physically removed. A landlord who changes the locks, removes the tenant's belongings, or shuts off utilities as a means of forcing the tenant out is committing an illegal self-help eviction and can be sued for damages.
The shortest notice is **7 days** for nonpayment of rent. For criminal activity or threats of serious physical harm, a **24-hour** notice may apply. Other lease violations require **10 days**, and ending a month-to-month tenancy requires **30 days**.
Yes. A tenant can stop an eviction by paying all overdue rent during the 7-day notice period, curing a lease violation during the 10-day cure period, or raising a valid legal defense at the hearing (such as improper notice or landlord retaliation). Once a Judgment for Possession is entered, options are limited to appealing the ruling.
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