Introduction and Service Overview
The enforcement of eviction from residential property is an immensely difficult and sensitive legal process that directly affects the fundamental right to housing. When a person loses ownership rights to an apartment or house (for example, due to the property being sold at auction for unpaid bank loans, the expiration of a tenancy agreement, or a court recognizing the person as an unlawful possessor) and refuses to vacate the premises voluntarily, the lawful owner must resort to coercive mechanisms. This service involves the physical clearing of the building by authorized personnel—the National Bureau of Enforcement or a private execution officer—in accordance with the rules established by law, and its handover to the lawful owner. Although property rights are inviolable, the state has an obligation to conduct the eviction process with respect for human dignity and full adherence to the rule of law.
Enforcement of an eviction is not a one-day event; it involves a lengthy preparatory phase, warnings, attempts at negotiation, and only in extreme cases, the use of force with police involvement. For property owners, this process is often stressful as it stretches over time and incurs financial costs, while for the individuals being evicted, it is an extreme social challenge. Consequently, qualified legal supervision during the enforcement process is essential to prevent errors and rights violations.
What the Eviction Service Covers
The service of eviction from residential premises encompasses a range of formal and practical actions. Initially, the execution officer is obligated to deliver an official written warning of eviction to the debtor, specifying a timeframe for voluntary vacation. Concurrently, social services may become involved, especially if the household includes minors, persons with disabilities, or the elderly.
If the period for voluntary vacation expires without result, a specific day and time for forced eviction are scheduled. On this day, the execution officer arrives at the location accompanied by police representatives. If necessary, door locks are forcibly opened. The service also covers the inventory of personal belongings and furniture inside the apartment, their removal, and, if the former owner does not take them away, their transfer to a special storage facility. Finally, the locks on the apartment are changed, and the property is officially handed over to the lawful owner via an act. The process is accompanied by video recording to rule out any claims regarding lost items or the excessive use of force.
Common Scenarios
In Georgia, the most common reason for eviction from a residential property is the non-payment of mortgage loans. When a borrower can no longer pay their debt to a bank or a private mortgagee, the property is sold at a forced auction. The new owner (buyer) demands that the apartment be vacated, a request the former owner often refuses due to a lack of alternative housing. In such situations, forced eviction becomes inevitable.
A second frequent scenario is the breach of a rental agreement. The tenant fails to pay rent and refuses to leave the apartment. The owner must obtain an eviction judgment through the courts and subsequently apply to the enforcement bureau. A third scenario involves inheritance disputes, where one heir unlawfully occupies the entire residential house, preventing other co-owners from exercising their rights.