Eviction

Assisting Property Owners with the Eviction of Tenants

Owning investment properties can provide you with significant rental income. However, there is risk involved when you lease a property, as a renter may fail to pay rent or may otherwise violate the terms of a lease agreement. When this happens, it may be necessary to evict the tenant from the premises and terminate the lease.

California law does not allow landlords to use their own means to evict a tenant. Landlords cannot change the locks, remove a tenants belongings, turn off utilities, or remove a door to force a tenant out. Instead, landlords must follow specific legal procedures and obtain an eviction order from the court. It is important to contact an eviction attorney right away if you believe you need to evict a tenant.

The Eviction Process

First, in order to evict a tenant, a landlord must have a valid reason, such as:

• Non-payment of rent
• Illegal activities on the premises
• Violation of other lease terms, such as having a pet or subleasing

A landlord must give the tenant notice of their plan to terminate the lease and the type of notice will depend on the specific violations. In some situations, the tenant will have the opportunity to rectify the problem and avoid an eviction. If the tenant does not resolve the violation, the landlord can file a lawsuit for unlawful detainer, commonly known as an eviction. Tenants will then have the chance to fight the eviction in court or file counterclaims against the landlord.

Contact an Eviction Lawyer about Your Legal Options

Evictions in California and Connecticut are not simple, and you should have an experienced eviction attorney handling your case. To schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of Jon H. Freis, please call 310-276-1218 or contact us online today.