Eviction in Kent County (Dover), Delaware

Where eviction cases are filed in Kent County (Dover), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Kent County (Dover)

Eviction court: Justice of the Peace Court 16 - Kent County (civil) — Justice of the Peace Court Court page
Notice before filing (state law): After the late-fee grace period (5 days after rent is due), landlord may serve a written demand giving the tenant at least 7 days to pay before filing for summary possession. If the tenant pays all rent due before the landlord files, the landlord cannot file on that nonpayment and cannot refuse the rent. Delaware rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026): $1,470/month HUD
Renter households: 19,616 (28% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28

Where eviction cases are filed in Kent County (Dover)

Eviction cases in Kent County (Dover) are heard by the Justice of the Peace Court 16 - Kent County (civil) (Justice of the Peace Court).

Justice of the Peace Court 16 — 414 Federal Street, Room 173, Dover, DE 19901 (302-739-4316; JPCourt16@delaware.gov; Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4 p.m.) · website

Court eviction page · Self-help center

The Delaware courts' location list shows JP Court 16 (Dover) as Kent County's civil Justice of the Peace court (JP Court 7 in Dover handles criminal, truancy and DUI). Cash and credit cards are not accepted after 3:30 p.m. The JP Court offers online dispute resolution for landlord/tenant cases.

How eviction cases work locally

Residential Eviction Diversion Program (mediation)	After a summary possession complaint is filed, landlord participation is mandatory; tenants may take part and must register within 15 days after formal service. Mediation conferences must finish at least 48 hours before the hearing, and failure to complete mediation may not delay the hearing. Source: Official source

The Delaware eviction process

Delaware state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Kent County (Dover):

Notice: 7-day written demand for past-due rent (§ 5502), 7-day cure notice for lease violations (§ 5513), or 60-day notice for end of tenancy (§ 5106)
Landlord files summary possession complaint; notice and complaint served 5 to 30 days before the hearing
Mandatory mediation scheduled before trial (trial cannot start until landlord mediates unless tenant fails to engage within 15 days of service)
Hearing: tenant may answer orally or in writing at the hearing; jury trial may be demanded within 10 days of service
Judgment; either party may appeal within 5 days to a 3-judge JP panel (trial de novo); motion to vacate default within 10 days
Writ of possession issues only after the appeal/vacate period; constable gives at least 24 hours' notice and executes between sunrise and sunset; tenant property may be stored 7 days then deemed abandoned

Full Delaware eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Kent County (Dover)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Dover, DE MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio	$1,158
1 bedroom	$1,165
2 bedrooms	$1,470
3 bedrooms	$2,044
4 bedrooms	$2,285

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Kent County (Dover): $1,354/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure follows state law. City rules, if any, are on city pages.

Eviction help in Kent County (Dover)

Free legal help

Delaware Right to Representation (eviction legal help) — Income-eligible tenants in residential properties facing eviction may get free legal representation: call 211 or go to bit.ly/EvictionHelpDE.

Right to counsel: Delaware's Right to Representation: income-eligible residential tenants facing eviction may receive free legal representation (call 211 or bit.ly/EvictionHelpDE). Source

Tenant and eviction lawyers in Kent County (Dover)

Section 8 and public housing in Kent County (Dover)

Delaware State Housing Authority (Housing Delaware) — Dover, Kent County, Sussex County
Housing Choice Voucher, Moving to Work, Section 811 Project Rental Assistance, State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP)
Phone: (302) 739-4263; toll-free (888) 363-8808; Housing Admissions (waiting list) (302) 739-6940
How to apply / waiting list

All Delaware housing authorities →

Other Delaware counties

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Kent County (Dover)?

Eviction cases in Kent County (Dover) are filed with the Justice of the Peace Court 16 - Kent County (civil).

Where can I get help with an eviction in Kent County (Dover)?

Delaware Right to Representation (eviction legal help).

What is the fair market rent in Kent County (Dover)?

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,470 per month (1-bedroom: $1,165).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.