Idaho Code §§ 6-301 to 6-324 § 6-312
JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT.
Operative Text
If, at any time appointed, the defendant do not appear and defend, the court must enter his default and render judgment in favor of the plaintiff as prayed for in the complaint.
Idaho Code Title 6, Chapter 3, § 6-312 establishes what happens in an unlawful detainer or forcible entry case when the defendant fails to appear or respond by the court-set deadline. In that situation, the court is required to enter a default and issue a judgment in favor of the plaintiff, granting whatever relief was requested in the complaint. This is a mandatory procedural rule — the court has no discretion to withhold the default judgment once the defendant has failed to appear.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 6-312, a landlord who has properly filed an unlawful detainer complaint and served the defendant is entitled to a default judgment if the tenant does not appear or respond by the appointed time. Compliant operators generally ensure their complaints are complete and accurate, since the judgment will be entered exactly as prayed for in the complaint. Keeping thorough records of proper service and filing is a standard practice that supports a clean default judgment process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 6-312 means that if a tenant named in an unlawful detainer action fails to appear or respond by the court-appointed deadline, a judgment can be entered against them automatically and without further hearing. Tenants who receive court notices related to a forcible entry or unlawful detainer case generally have a limited window to respond before default can be entered. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can provide information about response deadlines and available defenses under Idaho law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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