Pushmataha County sits in deep southeastern Oklahoma in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains — a landscape of pine forests, rocky ridges, clear mountain streams, and some of Oklahoma’s most remote and rugged terrain. Named for Chief Pushmataha — one of the most celebrated leaders of the Choctaw Nation, who served as a brigadier general under Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812 and was buried with military honors in Washington, D.C. — the county was formed from Choctaw Nation territory at Oklahoma statehood in 1907 and retains a strong Choctaw cultural identity. The county seat of Antlers (~2,200) is the largest community and governmental center. Clayton and Tuskahoma are small communities in the county. The county lies within the Choctaw Nation’s confirmed reservation territory under McGirt v. Oklahoma.
With a 2020 census population of approximately 10,812, Pushmataha County is one of Oklahoma’s least populous counties. The economy is built on timber, Choctaw Nation employment, county and school district government, hunting and outdoor recreation, cattle, and some seasonal tourism from the Ouachita Mountains. The rental market is extremely limited and concentrated almost entirely in Antlers. Rents in Antlers range from $450–$650 per month.
45 days after termination + possession + written demand
Late Fees
Must be in lease; cannot be included in 5-day notice
Entry Notice
24 hours (non-emergency)
Statute
Okla. Stat. tit. 41 (ORLTA)
Pushmataha County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county rental licensing required. Oklahoma has no statewide landlord licensing statute.
Rent Control
None. Oklahoma has no rent control statute and no local rent stabilization ordinances exist in Pushmataha County.
Security Deposit
No statutory cap. Deposit must be held in an Oklahoma FDIC-insured financial institution (Okla. Stat. tit. 41 § 115). Must be returned within 45 days after all three triggers: termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, and written demand by tenant.
17th Judicial District Court
Evictions (FEDs) filed at Pushmataha County Courthouse: 302 SW B St., Antlers, OK 74523. District Court Phone: (580) 298-2274. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. The 17th Judicial District also serves Choctaw County (Hugo) and McCurtain County (Idabel).
Habitability
ORLTA habitability standards apply (tit. 41 § 118). Deep southeastern Oklahoma’s Ouachita Mountain climate brings hot, humid summers, variable winters with ice storm risk, tornado exposure, and significant flood risk along Kiamichi River tributaries. The mountainous terrain creates localized weather patterns, including occasional heavy snow at elevation. Functioning HVAC is essential year-round.
McGirt / Choctaw Nation
Pushmataha County lies within the Choctaw Nation’s confirmed reservation territory under McGirt v. Oklahoma — and is named for the Pushmataha District of the Choctaw Nation. McGirt primarily affects criminal jurisdiction. Civil FED proceedings for routine residential tenancies remain in Oklahoma state court in Antlers. Properties on Choctaw Nation trust land require attorney consultation with federal Indian law experience.
Small Market / Rural Screening
With a county population of under 11,000 and an extremely limited rental market, written lease agreements and documented screening criteria are especially critical in Pushmataha County. Fair Housing Act compliance applies in full regardless of market size. In a county this small, consistent application of written, objective standards is the best protection against fair housing claims.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited statewide. All tenant removals require a court FED process. Lockouts and utility shutoffs without a court order are illegal under Oklahoma law.
15 (10 to cure; general violations); Immediate (criminal/imminent harm)
Days Notice (Violation)
12-35
Avg Total Days
$$85
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Notice Period5 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay all rent within 5 days to stop eviction
Days to Hearing5-10 (hearing scheduled after filing; summons served at least 3 days before hearing) days
Days to Writ48 hours after judgment (writ of execution served) days
Total Estimated Timeline12-35 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-400
⚠️ Watch Out
5-day notice for nonpayment - rent is late the moment due date passes (no statutory grace period unless lease provides one). Notice must state unpaid amount and termination date (not less than 5 days). Tenant paying in full within 5 days stops eviction. After judgment: tenant gets 48 hours via writ of execution served by sheriff ($50 or actual expenses). CRITICAL: If tenant didn't receive proper notice and default judgment entered, tenant can reverse by paying all rent + costs + attorney fees within 72 hours (12 O.S. § 1148.10B). Abandoned property: 30 days to claim (§ 41-130). Landlord-friendly state with fast process.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court - Small Claims Division - Forcible Entry and Detainer (Title 12 §§ 1148.1-1148.16). Pay the filing fee (~$$85).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Oklahoma eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Oklahoma attorney or local legal aid organization.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
Oklahoma landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Oklahoma —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Oklahoma's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
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AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Oklahoma requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
Choctaw Nation employees: The Choctaw Nation is the dominant non-government employer in Pushmataha County, operating healthcare, government, and enterprise facilities. Nation employment is stable and well-documented. Standard 3x monthly rent income verification applies and is easily met at Antlers’ very low rent levels for most Nation employees.
Government & school employees: County and school district workers represent Antlers’ most stable civilian employment outside of the Nation. Healthcare workers at Pushmataha County Health Center provide another stable income source. Standard income verification applies.
Timber, cattle & seasonal workers: Timber and cattle production provide some private sector employment, though income can be variable. In a county of under 11,000 people with an extremely limited rental market, apply Fair Housing Act-compliant, consistent written criteria to all applicants — documentation is especially important in a small community context where landlord-tenant disputes are very visible.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Pushmataha County Oklahoma Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Antlers & Deep Southeastern Oklahoma Rental Property Owners
Pushmataha County occupies the heart of deep southeastern Oklahoma in the Ouachita Mountains — one of the most remote, forested, and scenically rugged areas in the state. Named for Chief Pushmataha, one of the Choctaw Nation’s most celebrated leaders — a brilliant diplomat and military commander who negotiated with both the United States government and served as a brigadier general under Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812, before dying in Washington, D.C. in 1824 and being buried with full military honors — the county carries a name of tremendous historical weight in Choctaw Nation history. Pushmataha County was formed from the Pushmataha District of the Choctaw Nation at Oklahoma statehood in 1907 and lies entirely within the Choctaw Nation’s confirmed reservation territory under McGirt v. Oklahoma.
With a 2020 census population of approximately 10,812, Pushmataha County is among Oklahoma’s least populous counties. The county seat of Antlers (~2,200) is the only significant community. The Kiamichi River and its tributaries drain much of the county, flowing through pine forests and mountain valleys that give the region its distinctive character. The economy is built on timber production, Choctaw Nation operations, cattle ranching, county and school district government, and hunting and outdoor recreation. The rental market is extremely limited and almost entirely concentrated in Antlers, with rents typically ranging from $450 to $650 per month.
The ORLTA in Pushmataha County
All residential rental relationships in Pushmataha County are governed by the Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ORLTA), codified at Oklahoma Statutes Title 41. No local ordinances modify the ORLTA in Pushmataha County. There is no rental licensing requirement and no rent control. For nonpayment, a five-day pay-or-quit notice (rent only — no late fees) is required before filing a FED. For other lease violations, a fifteen-day notice to cure or quit is required. Month-to-month tenancies require thirty days’ written notice. Non-emergency entry requires twenty-four hours’ advance notice. Security deposits have no cap but must be held in an FDIC-insured Oklahoma institution. Self-help eviction is prohibited statewide.
Eviction Procedure at the 17th Judicial District Court
FED actions in Pushmataha County are filed at the Pushmataha County Courthouse, 302 SW B St., Antlers, OK 74523, district court phone (580) 298-2274, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Pushmataha County is part of Oklahoma’s 17th Judicial District, which also serves Choctaw County (Hugo) and McCurtain County (Idabel). The county lies within Choctaw Nation reservation territory under McGirt; civil FED proceedings for routine residential tenancies go to Oklahoma state court in Antlers.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney or contact the Pushmataha County District Court at (580) 298-2274 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: April 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney or contact the Pushmataha County District Court at (580) 298-2274 for specific guidance. Last updated: April 2026.
