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Fill out an Answer form in an eviction case

To respond to an eviction case, you need to fill out an Answer form or other response forms and file them with the court. This gives you a chance to tell the judge your side of the story and explain if your landlord legally can’t evict you.

 

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Before you start

The main form you need is Answer – Unlawful Detainer–Eviction (form UD-105) (opens in new tab).

It’s important to read the instructions below before you fill it out. Court forms can be confusing and include legal words you may not know.

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If you make a mistake, you could be evicted just because the form wasn’t filled out right.

📅 How to figure out your deadline to file

Your deadline to file an Answer depends on how you got the the Summons (form SUM-130) and Complaint (form UD-100). The deadline starts the day after you were served.

You have 10 court days to file your Answer.

  • This includes if the server handed them to you directly, or left them near you if you refused to take them.

  • Don’t count Saturdays, Sundays, or court holidays.

You have more time to file an Answer if:

  • The forms were given to someone at your home or work instead of you and then a copy was mailed to you (this is called substituted service)
  • A copy was posted at your home and a copy was mailed to you (this is called service by posting) 

If you were served by substituted service or service by posting:

You have 20 days after the server mailed the Summons and Complaint to you to file an Answer.

  • The mailing date is the postmark date. 
  • Day 1 is the day after the server mailed the Summons and Complaint to you.
  • For the first 10 of the 20 days, count regular calendar days (every day, including weekends and holidays). The 10th day is the day you're considered served.
  • Then you count 10 court days. For these 10 court days, do not count Saturdays, Sundays, or court holidays. The 10th day is the deadline to respond to the Complaint.

You have 15 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays, or court holidays, to file an Answer.

Talk to a Self-Help Center or lawyer if you have questions about the deadlines or how you were served.

⚠️ If you miss the deadline

If your landlord hasn’t yet filed a Request to Enter Default (form CIV-100) you may still be able to file an Answer. But you need to do it right away. The landlord can ask for a default judgment at any time after your deadline passes.

If you need legal help but don’t have time before your deadline, fill out the Answer the best you can. Explain in detail why the law protects you from eviction. You can still get help before your trial.

What happens if you don’t file an Answer?

  • The judge may decide the case without hearing your side.

  • There won’t be a trial.

  • If you lose, the sheriff can post a Notice to Vacate at your home.

  • You could be locked out, and the eviction may show up on your credit report.

What other forms can you file instead?

In some situations, you may file a motion instead of an Answer. For example, if you think your landlord's Complaint was filled out wrong or served wrong, you might file a motion to ask the court to do something about it. These are not standard court forms and must be written on pleading paper. You will likely need legal help.

Motion to Quash Service

This says the landlord didn’t serve the court papers the right way.

  • If you win: the landlord must serve the papers again.

  • If you lose: you must file an Answer right away.

Demurrer

This says the Complaint form doesn’t include all the facts or legal reasons for eviction. 

  • If you win: the landlord may have to start over or give you a new Notice.

  • If you lose: the case will move forward.

How to fill out the Answer form

  • Read the Complaint

    Understand what your landlord is saying and what they’re asking the court to do. If you need help, you can talk to a legal aid or court Self-Help Center.

  • See if you have denials or defenses

    Denials 

    When you read the Complaint, you will see a list of numbered statements. If you disagree with something or aren't sure it's true, you can deny it.

    You deny something by listing the statement in item 2 of your Answer. If you don't list a statement there, the judge will think you agree with it.

    You can deny something your landlord says in the court papers if it’s not true — or even if you’re not sure it’s true.

    If your landlord is asking for $1,000 or less

    You can check box 2a on the Answer.

    This is called a general denial. It tells the court you disagree with everything in the Complaint.

    If your landlord is asking for more than $1,000

    You can’t use a general denial. You need to say exactly what parts you disagree with.

    For example:

    • Your landlord checked box 6d in the Complaint saying they raised your rent — but you never got a rent increase notice.

    • Your landlord says in item 6e they attached a copy of your lease — but they didn’t.

    Write what you disagree with in item 2b(1) on the Answer form.

    If you got a Mandatory Cover Sheet (form UD-101)

    If you didn’t get the Mandatory Cover Sheet

    • You can use this as a legal defense.

    • On the Answer form, check box 2b(2)(a).

    If the Mandatory Cover Sheet has things that aren’t true

    • For each false item, write the item number or a short description in item 2b(2)(b) on the Answer form.

    If you’re not sure if something on the Cover Sheet is true

    • It’s safest to say it’s not true.

    • Write the item number or a short description in item 2b(2)(c) on the Answer form.

    If you don't deny or question the statements, the judge may assume you agree with them.

    What if you run out of space?

    If you don’t have enough room in items 2b(2)(b) or 2b(2)(c), check the box below those items that says you’re using a separate page. Then:

    1. Fill out Attachment (form MC-025)

    2. At the top, write: UD-105, Attachment 2

    3. Explain what your landlord said that you believe is not true or you are not sure is true

    Defenses

    You may have good reasons you think you shouldn’t be evicted but you need to learn if there are any laws that protect you. These laws are called defenses.

    Here are a few examples of defenses:

    • Your landlord didn't give you a Declaration of COVID-19-Related Financial Distress

    • You didn’t pay all your rent because there was a problem with your home (for example your roof was leaking, there were rats, peeling lead paint, etc.) and your landlord wouldn’t fix it 

    • Your city or county has eviction protections the landlord didn’t follow

    • Your landlord is evicting you because you reported them

    • You're being discriminated against

    Review a list of common eviction defenses

     ⚠️ You may not have a defense if:

    • Someone living with you is breaking the law (like selling drugs)

    • You broke a rule in your lease (like getting a dog when pets aren’t allowed)

  • Fill out the Answer form

    📌 Be as detailed as possible:

    • Include dates, times, and facts

    • Your landlord is the plaintiff

    • You are the defendant

    What if there are other tenants?

    You can all file one Answer together only if you all have the same defenses. Otherwise, each person should file their own.

    You think you are being evicted for different reasons. For example, you think your landlord is evicting you only because of unpaid rent. Your roommate thinks they're being evicted for unpaid rent and because they reported the landlord. If this is the case, you should file separate Answer forms.

    💵 Each person must pay a court filing fee ($240–$450). 

    If someone anyone can't afford it, they can fill out a fee waiver request.

    If you got rental help

    If you’re being evicted for unpaid rent and were approved for government rental help, also file:

    📌 This form can stop the eviction, but you still need to file an Answer.

  • Check for local forms

    Some courts have their own local forms you must use.

    Check:

  • Make copies

    Make at least 2 copies of everything:

    • The court keeps the original.

    • One copy is for you.

    • One copy is for your landlord.

Key takeaways

  • You have 10 court days to file an Answer after you’re served the eviction papers.

  • Use form UD-105 to respond, and add form MC-025 if you need more space.

  • If you miss the deadline, you may still have time—file right away.

  • You can file other motions, like a Demurrer or Motion to Quash, but you’ll likely need legal help.

  • You may have legal defenses—learn what applies to you.

  • Each person listed in the case needs to file their own Answer if their defenses are different.

  • If you got rental help, also file form UD-125 to stop the eviction.

  • Always check if your court requires local forms.

  • After you file, you must serve the papers on your landlord the right way.

Eviction

What’s next?

After you fill out your Answer, you need to serve it on your landlord.

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