When you sign a lease agreement, you do not intend to break it. However things can happen, Health problems can keep you from work, you can lose your job, or unexpected finances come up. The result is that you cannot pay rent. You may also want to break a lease to get out from underneath a bad landlord. Or to get away from a neighbor. It may not be expected, but there can be times when breaking a lease is necessary.

Breaking a lease is usually grounds for eviction. The landlord or property management is not always going to consider the circumstances. Knowing your rights can help you deal with the process properly. This is useful in cases where you feel that you are being evicted unjustly.

Here are six important tips to protect yourself should you face an eviction.

• Know the laws

Become familiar with the laws in your state. Each state has their own version of the Landlord and Tenant Act. This will serve as a guide to understanding the relationship between you and your landlord. It will contain an eviction section to focus on, but be sure to read the entire document. You can get a copy through the Attorney General’s website or by going to a local courthouse.

Pay close attention to the details regarding evictions, especially anything that constitutes an illegal eviction. In general, the landlord has to give a certain amount of notice and you have a window of time to correct the situation. Not allowing or adhering to this is a violation. An illegal eviction is not allowed in most states. If your landlord tries to evict you outside of the process, you can sue them. For example, if they change the locks on you or remove any property.

• Keep records

From the day you move in, you should keep documents and records of all interactions with your landlord. This is beneficial should anything like an eviction come up. Keep every notice or letter they give you. Record the time, date, and nature of any verbal communications too. Always keep cashed checks and receipts as well as maintenance records.

It is also a good idea to take photos of the property when you move in, or once any grievance occurs. Some landlords have been known to claim damage to property and claim it was done by you. The more documentation and evidence you have, the better your case will be against your landlord or eviction. Not all landlords try devious tactics, but it is best to be prepared in the event they do.

• Consult with an attorney

It helps to get legal advice during an eviction, even though you do not need representation for the case. Use a private attorney if you can afford one or check with Legal Aid for assistance. Most cities have Legal Aid offices and will be happy to provide consultation services. You get information and advice for a reduced price and sometimes free. Be sure to take all your documents and evidence so they can help you set up your case. Running through the details with them gets you prepared mentally for the case ahead.

• Go to the hearing

You need to go to an eviction hearing in court. You cannot be evicted without this and your landlord is responsible for scheduling this. Do not miss this hearing. If you do not show, the judge automatically rules in favor of the landlord. If you go to the hearing, you may have a chance of beating the eviction. You will never know if you decide to pass. When you show up, the landlord also cannot claim damage against you or any other fines.

Make sure you are prepared before you go. Plan to proceed in the same way you discussed with your attorney. Have all documents ready to present and establish your defense before you get there. Dress professionally and arrive early.

• Handling an eviction

In some cases, the judge will rule in favor of the landlord. Even if you have all documents and a good defense, you need to be prepared for this outcome. Make arrangements ahead of time to stay somewhere else and plant to rent a storage unit. If you have already found another rental, you do not need to worry about that. BE prepared to leave the property quickly. Every state allows an amount of time for eviction and in some cases it can be as little as 48 hours.

• Getting another place

Evictions can be reported to credit bureaus. This can hurt your chances of renting again. Most landlords do not report this but there are other ways credit companies can get this info. There are companies that collect information and sell it to prospective landlords.

Be prepared for your next landlord to know about the eviction. Don’t plan on hiding it. Explain the circumstances to them and be honest. You can present all the same documents you had for the hearing to make your case. It does not do any good to talk bad about the previous landlord, especially if the eviction was your fault. You do not want to appear like a problem tenant. It can take time to find a new rental.

Many will turn you down, but someone will approve of you. You should expect that when you are approved you will have to pay or a higher security deposit. The eviction becomes less relevant as time passes, especially when you begin to make on-time payments.

An eviction can seem disastrous and cause for worry. The important thing to remember is that you are not the only one to go through this. Many renters have been evicted and get through the process just fine. Protect yourself by following the laws and being honest. Be prepared and know your rights and you will have the best chance of beating an eviction. If you do get evicted, know that it is not the end of the world. With time, everything will be right again.