Eviction Attorneys for Landlords in Yuba City & Marysville
When a tenant is not holding up to their end of the contract, eviction may be necessary. California is a very tenant-friendly state where a single mistake can delay the process by months and cost you thousands in lost rent.
Don’t navigate this complex process alone. Let our experienced eviction attorneys guide you through every step.
Our Eviction & Landlord-Tenant Services
Non-Payment of Rent
When tenants fail to pay rent, we provide efficient representation to move the eviction process forward while ensuring strict compliance with California requirements.
Lease Violations
Whether dealing with unauthorized occupants, property damage, or other lease violations, we help you enforce the terms of your lease agreement.
End of Tenancy
We assist with proper notice procedures and termination of tenancy, ensuring compliance with California’s strict notice requirements.
Court Representation
Our attorneys represent you throughout the entire eviction process, from filing to trial, protecting your rights and interests at every stage.
Lease & Rental Agreements
We draft and review lease agreements to ensure they comply with California law and provide strong protection for your property investment.
Tenant Screening & Compliance
We advise landlords on best practices for tenant screening, fair housing compliance, and property management to prevent costly disputes.
The California Eviction Timeline
An uncontested California unlawful detainer (eviction) typically takes 30 to 45 days from notice to physical possession. Contested cases, especially in counties with backlogged courts, can take 60 to 90 days or longer. Here’s the typical sequence:
- Serve the proper notice. A 3-day notice for non-payment or curable lease breach, a 30-day or 60-day notice for tenancy termination, or a 3-day notice to quit for incurable violations. The notice must comply exactly with statutory requirements — errors restart the clock.
- Wait out the notice period. If the tenant cures (pays rent, fixes the violation, vacates), the matter ends.
- File the unlawful detainer complaint. If the tenant doesn’t cure, file in superior court.
- Serve the tenant. Personal service is required when possible. The tenant has five days to respond.
- Default or trial. If the tenant doesn’t respond, the landlord wins by default. If the tenant answers, the case is set for trial within 20 days.
- Writ of possession and lockout. After judgment, the sheriff enforces the writ of possession. The tenant typically has five days after the writ is posted to vacate.
Common Tenant Defenses Landlords Should Anticipate
California tenants have powerful defenses, and understanding them in advance lets you avoid the missteps that derail evictions:
- Defective notice — wrong amount of rent demanded, wrong address, miscalculated days, or missing required language
- Habitability defenses — tenant claims the unit was uninhabitable due to mold, lack of heat, or code violations
- Retaliatory eviction — tenant claims the eviction is in retaliation for complaining about conditions or exercising tenant rights
- Discrimination defenses under fair housing laws (race, family status, disability, source of income, etc.)
- Improper acceptance of rent after notice, which can waive the breach
- Just-cause requirements under AB 1482 (California Tenant Protection Act) for properties subject to it
The right strategy starts before the notice is served. We work with landlords on the front end — reviewing the lease, the rental history, the property condition, and the tenant communications — to ensure the case is positioned to win quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Evictions
How long does an eviction take in California?
An uncontested unlawful detainer typically takes 30 to 45 days from the notice to physical possession. Contested cases can run 60 to 90 days or longer, depending on court calendars and tenant defenses raised.
What are valid reasons to evict a tenant in California?
Common grounds include non-payment of rent, breach of a material lease term (unauthorized occupants, pets, illegal use, property damage), nuisance, end of a fixed-term lease, and “no-fault” reasons like owner move-in or substantial remodel. Properties subject to AB 1482 (California Tenant Protection Act) require “just cause” for termination after 12 months of tenancy.
What is a 3-day notice in California?
A 3-day notice is the most common pre-eviction notice. The 3-day notice to pay rent or quit demands rent within three business days. The 3-day notice to perform covenant or quit demands the tenant cure a curable lease breach. The 3-day notice to quit (no opportunity to cure) is used for incurable conduct like illegal activity or serious property damage.
Can I lock out a tenant who isn’t paying rent?
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in California. Changing locks, removing the tenant’s belongings, shutting off utilities, or otherwise forcing the tenant out without a court order exposes the landlord to substantial damages, attorney’s fees, and possible criminal liability. The only lawful path is the unlawful detainer process and sheriff-enforced lockout.
What is the difference between an unlawful detainer and an eviction?
“Eviction” is the colloquial term for the entire process. “Unlawful detainer” is the specific California civil action that produces the judgment for possession. Properly speaking, you file an unlawful detainer to obtain an eviction.
Do I need an attorney to evict a tenant in California?
Individuals can represent themselves in unlawful detainer actions, but corporations and LLCs are required to appear through licensed counsel. Even individual landlords benefit significantly from attorney representation — a single procedural error in notice or service routinely costs landlords months of lost rent.
Can I evict a tenant for non-payment of rent immediately?
No. California requires service of a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit before filing an unlawful detainer. The tenant has three business days (excluding weekends and holidays) to pay the demanded rent and cure the breach. Only after the notice expires unsatisfied can the landlord file in court.
California’s landlord-tenant laws are complex and frequently changing. Mistakes can be expensive. Protect your investment with experienced legal counsel.
Contact us today at (530) 742-7371 to discuss your eviction or landlord-tenant matter.