What happens after you serve your tenant
What happens after you serve your tenant
After your server delivers the court papers (the Summons and Complaint), your tenant has:
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10 court days to respond if your server gave them the papers in person
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15 court days to respond if your tenant was served through the Safe at Home program
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10 regular days plus 10 court days to respond if your server used substituted service or posted the papers at the home and mailed a copy
What you do next depends on how your tenant responds—or if they respond at all.
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If your tenant didn't respond, ask for a default judgment
Your tenant generally has 10 court days to respond. If they don’t, you can ask the court for a default judgment. This means the court can order your tenant to move out so you can take back the property. Figure out what to do next.
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If your tenant responded with an Answer, ask for a court date
If your tenant files an Answer, they plan to take part in the case. They answered what you said in the papers and want to explain their side in court. Figure out what to do next.
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If your tenant responded with something else, get legal help
If your tenant files something other than an Answer, like a motion to quash or a demurrer, you should get legal help. These are difficult motions that can slow down the case if you're not careful. Find more about what these responses mean and where to get help.
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If your tenant moved out or you have an agreement, you can end the case
If your tenant moved out, you must dismiss your eviction case. This means you tell the court you’re ending the case. You can also dismiss your case if you and your tenant worked out an agreement. Learn more about how to end the case.