Evicting a tenant in Los Angeles usually requires the following steps:
- Serve a valid termination notice on the tenant (usually a 3 day, 30 day, or 60 day notice).
- If the tenant does not comply with the terms of the notice, file an Unlawful Detainer (eviction) case in the correct court. You can find the filing court location here.
- Serve the tenant with the court papers. It is a best practice to have the papers served by a process server or sheriff.
- Wait the required number of days to see if the tenant fights the case.
- If the tenant does not fight the case, request a default judgment and writ of possession from the court. Once these have been granted, submit them to the sheriff and request that the sheriff schedule a lockout.
- If the tenant fights the case, submit the appropriate  court documents in response to the tenant’s claims. You may need to have a trial.
It is important to note that this is a simplified version of how to evict a tenant in Los Angeles. Guidelines are strict and an attorney should be consulted for each particular eviction case.
Here’s a visual representation of the typical non-payment of rent case.
Need help with evicting a tenant in Los Angeles? Contact the Law Office of David Piotrowski for assistance.
The Law Office of David Piotrowski represents landlords throughout southern California and can assist with a tenant eviction.
Click here for more eviction blog posts.
