Having to evict tenants is never an ideal situation. Every landlord would rather be able to come to a solution by communicating with their tenants and resolving the situation without taking eviction action. But sometimes, it's necessary to evict a tenant, so it’s important for a landlord to understand California eviction laws.

A lease or rental agreement is a contract from a landlord that clearly states a tenant’s obligations, like paying rent on time and adhering to the terms of the agreement, for the duration of their tenancy. If at any point the tenants fail to abide by these terms, you may be able to remove them from your California property.

It goes without saying that every landlord must follow the proper eviction process when removing a tenant. Before taking any other steps, by law, you have to get a court order. It’d be against the law for landlords to do things like shut off utilities, change locks, or remove the tenant’s belongings.

Typical California evictions follow these steps:

  • Serving the tenant with an eviction notice.
  • Filing a complaint in court.
  • Serving the tenant with a copy of the summons and complaint.
  • Attending the court hearing.
  • Obtaining a Writ of Possession.
  • Removing of the tenant.

Usually, from start to finish, a landlord can expect the process to take anywhere between five and eight weeks. Eviction proceedings can also take much longer if the tenant requests to take it up with the court.

A key in an open door of a rental unit

What Is the Eviction Process in California?

According to eviction laws, to begin tenant evictions in California, the landlord must first the legal right according to California eviction laws. Examples of legal grounds include nonpayment of rent, extending the tenancy without approval, and faif the tenant violates lease terms. Next, they must terminate the lease by issuing tenants with a notice.

Notice for Lease Termination with Legal Cause

A California landlord can legally evict a tenant for myriad reasons, as already mentioned. The landlord must issue the tenant the proper notice according to the law for the process to be successful. The following are the eviction notices available to a California landlord.

  • 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit. Tenants are required to pay rent on time, every month. If they don’t pay the rent, landlords may be able to evict them from the property. This warning gives the tenant three days to either pay the unpaid rent or leave.
  • 30-Day Notice to Quit. This applies to tenants on a month-to-month lease who have been paying rent for less than a year. The notice allows landlords to give them a maximum of 30 days to leave. The tenant has no other option.
  • 60-Day Notice to Quit. This applies to tenants on a month-to-month lease and who have rented for more than a year. It allows the tenant a maximum of 60 days to leave.

A landlord looking at a rental agreement with a family

  • 3-Day Notice to Quit. A landlord must serve this written notice when evicting a tenant for a serious lease violation. This gives the tenant a maximum of three calendar days to leave on their own. The tenant doesn’t get a chance to remedy the issue. Examples of incurable lease violations include unlawful subletting, non-criminal nuisances, and excessive property damage.
  • 3-Day Notice to Cure or Vacate. This applies to tenants who commit minor violations. The notice gives the tenant the option to cure their violation or vacate. Examples of curable violations include keeping unauthorized pets, failing to maintain the unit, and using the property for unauthorized purposes.

Serving a Tenant with an Eviction Notice in California

As a landlord, it’s your duty according to California eviction laws to ensure the tenant has received a copy of the notice. California law also requires that every landlord serves it properly, lest the tenant or their attorney uses that as a legal defense to derail their eviction.

Landlords must deliver the notice in one of the following ways:

  • Delivering the notice in person.
  • Mailing a copy to the tenant via certified mail or regular mail.
  • Posting a copy on the front door, or any other conspicuous area.
  • Leaving a copy with a competent household member in the absence of the tenant.
  • Posting a copy in a conspicuous area AND mailing the tenant a copy of the notice.

Person writing in a notebook in front of their open laptop as they research the California eviction process

Tenant Eviction Defenses in California

A defense is a reason why landlords shouldn’t win the case, provided by an attorney in an eviction lawsuit, according to California eviction laws. The tenant or their attorney may give reasons such as:

  • The notice had substantial errors.
  • The eviction was based on discrimination, such as the tenant’s race, color, nationality, religion, or sex (which are all protected classes according to the Fair Housing Act).
  • The eviction was a landlords retaliation to the tenant exercising one of their rights. Such as joining a tenants’ union to advocate for their rights, or reporting the landlord to the health department for habitability violations.
  • The reason for the lease termination and eviction process was exaggerated.
  • The tenant fixed the violation (for curable violations) but the landlord still went ahead with the eviction.
  • The eviction process was illegal. For instance, their landlord tried to evict the tenant by locking them out, shutting down their utilities, or removing their belongings.

Attending Court Hearing

If the tenant contests the violation or refuses to move out, landlords can choose to proceed with filing an eviction lawsuit with the court. After filing the lawsuit, the court will then issue a Summons and Complaint. This will allow the tenant time to respond, allowing them or their attorney to provide any defense they have against their eviction.

To prepare for the hearing, landlords should bring as much evidence to the court as possible. Including a copy of the lease agreement, a copy of the notice, and witnesses if available. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a Writ of Execution will be issued and the eviction process will continue.

Justice figurine holding a scale

Writ of Execution

This is the final notice to the tenant to leave their rented unit. According to eviction laws, the writ affords them an opportunity to remove their belongings before being forcefully evicted. It gives them a maximum of five days to leave. If the tenant doesn’t leave within five days, the sheriff will return and forcefully remove them.

Bottom Line

It’s important that California landlords follow California eviction laws when removing a tenant from their premises. Illegal evictions do have consequences.

Are you looking for help managing tenant relations for your California rental property? If you are, Action Properties can help. We’re a full-service property management company that can help you maximize your income and minimize stress. Get in touch to learn more!

This blog should not be used as a substitute for professional legal advice. Seek legal advice from a licensed attorney in your state. Laws change, and this post might not be updated at the time of your reading. Please contact us for any questions you have in regards to this content or any other aspect of your property management needs.