How to Evict a Tenant in Alaska: Laws, Process, and Timeline
Alaska Eviction Timeline 2026: 7 Days for Rent, 24 Hours to 5 Days for Damage or Illegal Activity
The Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, AS 34.03.010–34.03.380, governs eviction statewide, paired with the forcible entry and detainer procedure in AS 09.45.060–09.45.160 and Alaska Civil Rule 85. This page covers the lawsuit itself: notice, filing, the hearing, the judgment.
Grounds and Notice Periods
| Ground | Notice Period | Statute | Curable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-payment of rent | 7 days | AS 34.03.220(b) | Yes — pay in full within the 7 days |
| Material lease noncompliance, first instance | At least 10 days | AS 34.03.220(a)(2) | Yes, if the breach can be fixed by repairs, paying damages, or otherwise, and the tenant fixes it before the date in the notice |
| Repeat, in the absence of due care by the tenant, of substantially the same act or omission as a prior noncompliance for which notice was given, within 6 months | At least 5 days | AS 34.03.220(a)(2) | No |
| Deliberate substantial damage (over $400), or prostitution or another illegal activity at the premises | Termination date no sooner than 24 hours and no later than 5 days after service | AS 34.03.220(a)(1) | No |
| Utility service cut off by the provider for the tenant’s nonpayment | 5 days; at least 3 days for a repeat within 6 months, in the absence of due care by the tenant | AS 34.03.220(e) | Yes — within 3 days, by restoring service and repaying the landlord, if the unit wasn’t damaged |
| No-cause, month-to-month | At least 30 days before the rental due date named in the notice | AS 34.03.290(b) | N/A |
| Week-to-week tenancy | At least 14 days, while rent is current | AS 34.03.290(a) | N/A |
For nonpayment, the 7-day notice under AS 34.03.220(b) also serves as the notice to quit, so no second document is needed (AS 09.45.100(b)). Only one written notice of default is required for any one default, and a landlord who has served it can take a partial payment and push the eviction date back accordingly. A notice to quit has to be in writing and can be delivered to the tenant, left at the premises if the tenant is away, or sent by registered or certified mail (AS 09.45.100(c)). The utility-shutoff track in subsection (e) is separate from the general nonpayment notice in (b): it applies only when an electric, gas or water utility discontinues service because the tenant didn’t pay for it.
The Court Process
- File. Once the applicable notice has run, the landlord files a forcible entry and detainer complaint describing the premises precisely enough that possession can be delivered by that description (Civil Rule 85(a)(1)). A case filed in superior court can be referred to district court when the amount is within district court jurisdiction (Rule 85(b)).
- Hearing date. The eviction hearing is set no more than 15 days after the complaint is filed, unless the court orders otherwise (Civil Rule 85(a)(2)).
- Serve. The summons must be served at least 2 days before the eviction hearing (Civil Rule 85(a)(2)).
- Continuances. No continuance longer than 2 days is granted unless the tenant posts an undertaking, with court-approved sureties, covering rent that may accrue (Civil Rule 85(a)(3)).
- Judgment. A landlord who wins gets judgment for possession.
What This Costs
Confirm the current filing and service fees with the court clerk before filing.
What a Landlord Cannot Do
If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water, sanitary or another essential service, the tenant may recover possession or end the lease and, either way, recover up to one and one-half times actual damages (AS 34.03.210). Except in an emergency or where it’s impracticable, entry requires at least 24 hours’ notice and a reasonable time (AS 34.03.140(c)). Under AS 34.03.310, a landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction because the tenant complained to the landlord that the unit isn’t being kept fit and habitable, enforced rights under the Act, organized or joined a tenants’ union, or complained to a governmental agency responsible for enforcing governmental housing, wage, price, or rent controls — though after serving a notice to quit, a landlord can still sue for possession for unpaid rent, among other listed exceptions (AS 34.03.310(c)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Alaska landlord accept part of the rent after serving a 7-day notice? Yes. AS 34.03.220(b) lets a landlord who has given the written notice accept a partial payment and extend the eviction date accordingly.
What’s the correct notice period for illegal activity or serious property damage in Alaska? The notice must set a termination date no sooner than 24 hours and no later than 5 days after it is served, under AS 34.03.220(a)(1). Damage counts as substantial when the deliberately caused loss exceeds $400.
How fast does an Alaska eviction case reach a hearing? Civil Rule 85 sets the eviction hearing no more than 15 days after filing unless the court orders otherwise, with the summons served at least 2 days before it.