Do this today
- Keep the original. Photograph every page, including envelopes and posting.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for a court name, case number, or appearance date — that is court papers.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice the same as being evicted?
No. In California, as in most states, a written landlord notice is a step, not a judgment. A court case, then an order carried out by a sheriff or similar officer, is generally what completes an eviction. California Civil Code — hiring of real property is where California sets what the notice must say and how long it runs. We do not print that number here.
What generally happens next?
The sequence is broadly similar: written notice, then a court filing if the landlord proceeds, then a tenant response, a hearing, a judgment, and — only after an order — a law-enforcement removal. Names differ. Timing differs. California justice, magistrate, or housing court labels differ. Missing a response deadline commonly leads to a default. That is why court papers are same-day work.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. Rent withholding, in some states, is a lawful process and in others is grounds for eviction — ask legal aid in California before you skip a payment.
What is an unlawful detainer in California?
That is the Superior Court case to recover possession. A landlord notice is a step. An unlawful detainer with a case number is a case. Legal aid the same day. Stay Housed LA is a Los Angeles door, not a statewide court.
Where is the official California renter page?
The Attorney General’s landlord-tenant page and California Legislative Information for the Civil Code. LawHelpCA is the legal-aid directory. This classroom cites those. It does not replace them.
The California chapter
California Civil Code — hiring of real property (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940 to 1954.06) is the starting point. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
California publishes its residential tenancy rules in the Civil Code, and the Attorney General maintains a plain-language landlord–tenant page for renters. Many California cities layer their own rent and just-cause ordinances on top of state law, so the city matters as much as the state here.
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley and Santa Monica are among the California cities that run their own rent or eviction-protection programs. City rules can add protections the state does not require.
Official sources
- StatuteCalifornia Civil Code — Hiring of Real Property (Div. 3, Title 5, Ch. 2)California Legislative Information, the state's official code publisher.
- State agencyCalifornia Attorney General — Landlord–Tenant IssuesState consumer guidance for renters, plus complaint routes.
- Free legal helpLawHelpCAStatewide legal-aid directory operated for California residents.
- Statute indexCornell LII landlord-tenant tableCal. Civ. Code §§ 1940 to 1954.06
- FederalHUD — California
- Free legal helpLawHelp.org — California
Common questions
Is an eviction notice in California the same as being evicted?
No. A notice is a step a landlord takes before filing. In most places an eviction is completed only through a court case and an order carried out by an officer. Look first for a court name and a case number.
How long does an eviction notice last in California?
That number is in California Civil Code — hiring of real property, and it depends on the reason for the notice and sometimes on the city and the housing type. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
Can my landlord in California change the locks?
In most states a landlord may not carry out a removal personally. If locks have changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit, treat it as an emergency: legal aid, 211, and in an unsafe situation, 911.
Where is free eviction help in California?
LawHelp.org routes California renters to nonprofit legal aid. Dial 211 for local services. Court self-help desks exist in many courthouses. None of those are behind a sign-up on this site.
What is an unlawful detainer in California?
That is the Superior Court case to recover possession. A landlord notice is a step. An unlawful detainer with a case number is a case. Legal aid the same day. Stay Housed LA is a Los Angeles door, not a statewide court.
Where is the official California renter page?
The Attorney General’s landlord-tenant page and California Legislative Information for the Civil Code. LawHelpCA is the legal-aid directory. This classroom cites those. It does not replace them.
The national eviction notice guide has the full sequence. Open the eviction notice guide
People also ask
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org