California Landlord's Law Book: Evictions: Evictions (Twenty First)

Your step-by-step guide to evicting a problem tenant in California

Sooner or later, nearly every residential landlord has to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent, property damage, an illegal sublet, or another violation of the lease or the law.

You don't always need to hire a lawyer, but you do need reliable information, particularly if your property is under rent control. Here, you'll find all of the downloadable forms you need along with clear, step-by-step instructions on how to:

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• prepare nonpayment of rent notices
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• prepare 3-, 30-, 60-, and 90-day notices
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• complete and serve all required eviction forms
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• deal with tenants' delaying tactics, and
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• file your "unlawful detainer" complaint in court.
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Just filing an eviction lawsuit often prompts the tenant to leave. If it doesn't, you'll learn how to:

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• handle a contested eviction suit by yourself--and know when to get professional help
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• respond to a tenant's defenses and claims
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• evict a tenant who has filed for bankruptcy or is occupying property you purchased at a foreclosure sale, and
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• collect unpaid rent after you win.
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