Key takeaways
- A working definition is not the statute.
- The same word can mean different things in different states.
- When a court is named, ask legal aid — do not litigate from a glossary.
Do this today
- Read the definition as a starting point, not as the rule.
- Open your state page for the official chapter.
- If the paper names a court, call legal aid.
What this page is not
- Not a legal dictionary for your courthouse.
- Not the meaning your judge will use.
- Not legal advice.
Confirm it locally
Caps, clocks, and entry hours live in your state chapter. Search below, or take the paper to legal aid if a court is named.
Terms on this page
People also ask
Official sources
- LawHelp.orgFree legal aid by state. Start here for court papers.
- HUD tenant rightsFederal floor and state HUD pages.
- Cornell LII landlord-tenant tableIndex of official state chapters. We name the chapter; we do not paraphrase a number out of it.
- 211Local rent, shelter, food, and utilities, in many languages.
Cluster: Glossary
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org
