Eviction Index

Eviction basics

• What is an eviction in California?

• Mediation in eviction cases

• Legal and housing resources

• Eviction forms

If you're a tenant

Case overview

1. Notice from your landlord

   • What a notice is

   • Types of notices

   • What you can do after you get a notice

2. Eviction case starts

   • You receive a Summons and Complaint

   • If you’re not listed in the Complaint

3. Respond to the court

   • Fill out an Answer

   • Common defenses you can use

   • Serve your Answer

   • File your Answer

4. At your trial

   • What to expect at your eviction trial

5. After a judge decides

   • What happens if you lose

   • Ask for more time to move (stay of execution)

   • Ask to set aside a judgment

If you're a landlord

Case overview

1. Give your tenant a notice

   • What a notice is

   • Types of notices

   • How to deliver a notice

   • After you give your tenant notice

2. Start an eviction case

   • Fill out forms

   • File a Summons and Complaint

   • Serve a Summons and Complaint

   • If personal service doesn’t work:

     • Substituted service

     • Posting and mailing

3. After you serve your tenant

   • Tenant doesn’t respond: ask for a default judgment

   • Tenant files a response

   • How to end (dismiss) your case

4. At your trial

   • What to expect in an eviction trial

5. After a judge decides

   • After the eviction trial decision