Which of the following best defines "eminent domain"?

The concept of "eminent domain" refers specifically to the power of the government to take private property for public use, provided that just compensation is given to the property owner. This principle is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which states that private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation. This power is typically exercised for projects such as infrastructure development (like roads, schools, and parks) that serve the public interest.

The other options represent different legal concepts. The process of evicting tenants pertains to landlord-tenant law and does not involve government acquisition of property for public benefit. The requirement for landlords to maintain property speaks to the responsibilities of property owners in ensuring safe and habitable living conditions for tenants, which is unrelated to the concept of eminent domain. Finally, a method for determining property value typically involves appraisals or market analysis, which again does not tie into the government's authority to seize property for public use. This clarification helps to reinforce the specific nature of eminent domain as fundamentally involving governmental authority and public interest.