Eviction Help in Los Angeles, California

If you rent in Los Angeles and just found a notice on your door or were handed court papers, you are not out of time yet. Eviction help in Los Angeles starts with knowing which rules cover your unit, which courthouse has your case, and what your deadline is. LA has some of the strongest local tenant protections in California, but they only help if you use them in time.

Eviction Defender is based in Porter Ranch, in the San Fernando Valley. We are not a law firm. We offer guidance and document preparation, and your first case review is free.

Which Los Angeles court will hear your eviction case?

Evictions in California are court cases called unlawful detainers. In LA they are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, the largest trial court in the country. The main civil courthouse is the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 N. Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles.

For years, LA eviction cases were funneled into a handful of "hub" courthouses. Under a standing order that took effect in March 2026, limited unlawful detainer cases are now assigned to courthouses throughout the county, so yours may be heard downtown or at a courthouse closer to the property.

The fastest way to know for sure: look at the top of your Summons (form SUM-130) and the complaint. The court's name and address are printed there. That is where your Answer goes, and where any hearing will be held.

Cities and neighborhoods we serve in LA County

We help renters across the City of Los Angeles, from Hollywood, Koreatown, South LA and Boyle Heights to Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Reseda, Sylmar and San Pedro. We also serve Long Beach, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Palmdale, Inglewood, Compton, Torrance, Pomona and El Monte, plus unincorporated areas like East LA and Altadena.

Los Angeles rent and just-cause rules that can change your case

State law gives most long-term California tenants "just cause" protection under the Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482). In Los Angeles, local rules often go further. Which one applies depends on where your unit is and when it was built.

City of Los Angeles

• Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO): Most rental units in the City of LA with a certificate of occupancy issued on or before October 1, 1978 are covered. RSO units have limits on rent increases and on the reasons a landlord can use to evict.
• Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance (JCO): Units in the city that are not under the RSO are generally covered by the JCO, which has been in effect since early 2023 and requires a legal reason to end most tenancies.
• Nonpayment threshold: Since March 27, 2023, a landlord in the City of LA generally cannot evict for unpaid rent unless the amount owed is more than one month of "fair market rent" for the area, as set by HUD.
• Notice filing: Landlords must file a copy of eviction notices with the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) within three business days of serving the tenant. A missing filing can matter in your case.

Unincorporated LA County and other cities

In unincorporated areas such as East LA or Altadena, the county's Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance may give you just-cause protection, even in many single-family homes. Cities like Santa Monica and West Hollywood have their own rent control programs. We check which rules apply to your address.

Common eviction notices and cases we see in Los Angeles

Most LA cases start with a notice, not a lawsuit. The most common ones are:

• 3-day notice to pay rent or quit. The three days do not count Saturdays, Sundays or court holidays. In the City of LA, check the amount against the fair market rent threshold. See our guide to the 3-day notice to pay rent or quit.
• 3-day notice to perform covenant or quit, for things like an unauthorized pet or occupant.
• 30-day or 60-day notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. In the City of LA, this kind of notice still needs a valid just cause for most units.

If you have already been served with a Summons and Complaint, you generally have 10 court days after personal service to file an Answer (form UD-105). If you miss it, the landlord can ask for a default judgment. Our step-by-step guide on how to respond to an unlawful detainer explains what goes into the Answer.

How eviction help in Los Angeles works remotely

We don't have a walk-in office, and you don't need one.

1. Call or send a message. Tell us what you received and the date you got it.
2. Send photos. Take clear phone pictures of every page of your notice or court papers and email them to info@evictiondefenseca.org. You can also mail copies to 19360 Rinaldi Street #673, Porter Ranch, CA 91326.
3. Free review. We go over your deadline, your court, and any local LA rules that apply.
4. Document preparation. If you want our help, we prepare your response paperwork for you to review and sign, and explain how and where to file it.

Want the big picture first? Visit our eviction notice help center. If you own your home and are behind on the mortgage, see our Los Angeles foreclosure help page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my Los Angeles apartment is under rent control?

In the City of LA, most units built with a certificate of occupancy on or before October 1, 1978 fall under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. LAHD has an online lookup by address. If your unit is not under the RSO, it may still be covered by the city's Just Cause Ordinance.

Can my LA landlord evict me for owing a small amount of rent?

In the City of Los Angeles, generally not. Since March 2023, a landlord usually cannot evict for nonpayment unless you owe more than one month of fair market rent for the area. You still owe the rent, though.

Which courthouse do I file my Answer in?

File it with the court listed on your Summons and complaint. Since March 2026, LA eviction cases are assigned to courthouses throughout the county, so it may not be the downtown Stanley Mosk Courthouse.

How long do I have to respond to an eviction lawsuit in Los Angeles?

Generally 10 court days after personal service, not counting weekends and court holidays. The deadline can be different if you were served another way, so check the date carefully and get help early.

Eviction Defender is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page is general information about California law and Los Angeles rules as of 2026.