An eviction proceeding is the legal method available to landlords to remove a tenant from a rental property. A landlord is prohibited from using self-help measures like locking a tenant out of a property and can face harsh penalties if such measures are used. In New York, an eviction may also be referred to as a Summary Proceeding. A landlord has a duty to provide the tenant with notice of the eviction case by serving them with a copy of both the Notice of Petition and the Petition. The Notice of Petition contains information regarding the time and place of the eviction hearing and the Petition lists the landlord’s reasons for evicting the tenant. In addition, the landlord must serve the tenant at least 5 days prior to the court date. Visit http://www.lawny.org/index.php/housing-self-help-141/housing-and-eviction-self-help-142/48-general-eviction-information#sthash.0JnH33VD.dpuf to learn more about general eviction in New York. Also, readhttp://www.freelegalaid.com/nav/new-york/landlord-tenant-law/article/tenant-law-requires-proper-eviction-notice-new-york for more information about what consitutes proper notice of a pending eviction.