Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in Albuquerque the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. New Mexico UORRA is the book. Albuquerque 311/code is the conditions door.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. Albuquerque 311 is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
What law applies to Albuquerque rentals?
New Mexico’s Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act is the statewide book. Albuquerque Code Enforcement and 311 are the City doors. Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court hears many cases. Santa Fe rules do not apply here.
The Albuquerque layer
New Mexico UORRA is the book. Albuquerque 311/code is the conditions door.
New Mexico Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act (N.M. Stat. §§ 47-8-1 to 47-8-51) is the New Mexico floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Albuquerque questions
Can my landlord in Albuquerque evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in Albuquerque?
That number is in New Mexico Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
What law applies to Albuquerque rentals?
New Mexico’s Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act is the statewide book. Albuquerque Code Enforcement and 311 are the City doors. Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court hears many cases. Santa Fe rules do not apply here.
What number should I call in Albuquerque?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. Albuquerque 311 does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org