Each state may have their own rules, but in California where I was an apartment manager, the procedure was this:
First they give a three day notice the "pay rent or quit"
If the rent is not paid after the three days, then the management can serve them with a thirty day notice of eviction.
If the management expects the tenant may not leave "willingly" by the end of the thirty days, they may concurrently file the thirty day eviction notice with the local court. The tenant now has the option to go to court and fight the eviction, and present any evidence in their favor. If the court rules in favor of the management, at the end of the thirty day notice the sheriff serves a five day eviction notice and at the end of that five day notice the sheriff physically removes the tenant and their belongings from the rental.
In California if minor children are living in the rental, courts will usually enact a stay for as long as six months to allow the family to find new housing.
Sometimes, instead of using the court system, the landlord may try to use illegal tactics to attempt to drive a tenant out, such as turning off water or interupting other utilities. They risk heavy fines for doing such things.
In California you may also legally withhold rent and use it to make needed repairs up to twice a year if the landlord does not respond to written requests for repairs. You cannot withhold more than the actual cost of the repairs, and you must notifiy the landlord in writing what you are doing.
