When Speedy Eviction Becomes a One-Sided Story

By: J. David Chapman/January 30, 2026

Oklahoma lawmakers are once again debating changes to our states Landlord Tenant Act. The latest proposal would slow down the eviction timeline by excluding weekends and holidays from the legal process. Supporters argue this gives tenants more time to find assistance, seek legal advice, or gather belongings. Critics worry it will increase costs and risks for property owners. As with most public policy debates, the truth lives somewhere in the middle.

Oklahoma does have one of the fastest eviction timelines in the nation. That reality is frequently framed as evidence that our laws favor landlords at the expense of tenants. There is some truth in that. Losing housing is traumatic. Families, children, and vulnerable individuals feel real harm when housing instability enters their lives. Those concerns deserve respect and attention.

But the conversation too often stops there. The landlord is cast as the villain. The tenant is cast as the victim. Real life is far more complicated.

Most landlords in Oklahoma are not large corporations. They are individuals who saved for a down payment, took on debt, and invested in housing that their neighbors rely on. They pay property taxes, insurance, maintenance costs, and mortgages. They are expected to provide safe and functional housing. And when rent is not paid, they carry the financial burden.

There are negligent landlords. There are also tenants who refuse to pay rent despite having the means. There are tenants who damage property or violate lease terms. A fair housing system must recognize both realities.

Speed matters in eviction for a reason. When rent is not paid, the loss does not disappear. It accumulates. Every additional week without resolution pushes the property owner further into the red. For small landlords that can mean missing mortgage payments or delaying repairs. For larger operators it can mean pulling back from renting to higher risk households altogether. That reduces available housing and ultimately hurts renters.

At the same time, an eviction process that is too fast can deny tenants reasonable opportunity to resolve disputes or access assistance. A system that produces justice must be efficient but also humane.

The real goal should not be choosing sides. The goal should be to build a process that is fair, predictable, and swift for both parties. Tenants deserve time to seek help. Landlords deserve a timely remedy when contracts are broken. Neither side benefits from a system that drags on uncertainty.

If lawmakers want to reduce eviction filings, the long-term solutions are not only in courtroom timelines. They are in wages, housing supply, responsible leasing practices, and clear communication between property owners and tenants.

Housing works best when expectations are clear, obligations are mutual, and the law respects both sides of the lease. That is the conversation we should be having.

Dr. J. David Chapman is the Chair of Finance and Professor of Real Estate at The University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu)