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Eviction Resources
Got an eviction notice?
Eviction is a legal process. Tenants have rights, but must act fast.
If you receive an eviction notice from the court, DO seek legal assistance, but DO NOT wait to hear from an attorney before responding to the court. You have only FIVE (5) business days to respond to the court's notice, regardless of whether you have a lawyer. Use the tools below to respond to the court on time.
Remember: A notice from a landlord is not an eviction; it is a warning that the landlord is required to give before filing an eviction in court. Receiving a notice means an eviction may be coming soon, and the tenant should act immediately.
When an eviction is filed, the court will mail the tenant a notice of an "Unlawful Detainer" (click to see a sample).Tenants have five (5) business days to respond. Responding to the Unlawful Detainer is the first step in defending against the eviction, and not responding allows the case to go ahead without the tenant's say.
Find a complete, step-by-step guide to the eviction process here. Below, find resources to help respond to an eviction.
Legal Aid
Stay Housed LA
Stay Housed LA provides free or low-cost legal aid in eviction cases in Los Angeles County. Visit www.stayhousedla.org or call 1-888-694-0040 as soon as you receive a notice (warning) from the landlord. Continue taking the steps below after you have reached out for legal assistance.
Responding to an Eviction
Tenants have only five (5) business days to respond to an Unlawful Detainer, and may not be able to connect with legal aid before the response is due. Below are resources and guides on how to respond yourself.
Tenant Power Toolkit
The Tenant Power Toolkit is a free online tool that helps California tenants respond to an Unlawful Detainer (eviction). It is a collaborative effort by The Debt Collective, The LA Tenants Union, The Anti-Eviction Mapping Project, anti-eviction lawyers, and legal service providers. This video by WIRE Associates shows how to use it.
California Court Self-Help Centers
The California courts offer guidance and assistance in filling out legal forms. Find your local Self-Help Center here, and use the guides below to understand eviction documents.
Understanding the Unlawful Detainer complaint
Guide to responding with an Answer form
Video: How to Complete Your Unlawful Detainer Answer
This tutorial by the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) goes over how to respond to an Unlawful Detainer (eviction) without an attorney.
Video: How to Complete Your Fee Waiver
There is a fee to file paperwork in court, but low-income tenants can apply to waive the fee when responding to an eviction. This tutorial by the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) goes over how to request a fee waiver.
Trial Preparation Workshops
The Eviction Defense Network holds Eviction Trial Workshops:
Saturdays, 9:00 a.m
Mondays, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.
Click this link to join on Zoom, or call (214) 485-8112 to join by phone (Saturday mornings only).
More workshops on the eviction process and other issues are provided by Stay Housed LA and its partners. Check out the schedule and register for a workshop here.