When they need eviction lawyers for landlords, Los Angeles property owners choose California Property Law Group. Learn more about our legal services here.
Whether you want to evict a tenant from a single-family home, a rent-controlled apartment, or a multi-unit building in Los Angeles, you shouldn’t pursue this goal on your own. Eviction cases can become complicated and time-consuming, and you’ll need to meet strict compliance requirements throughout. Plus, landlords attempting to evict tenants in LA face unique challenges related to tenant protections and rent control.
The good news is that finding the right eviction lawyers for landlords can make things much easier. California Property Law Group exclusively represents landlords, property owners, and property managers, making us the perfect choice for eviction cases like yours. If you’re looking for a firm that knows how to handle unlawful detainer cases in Los Angeles County Superior Court, look no further!
Los Angeles Eviction Lawyers Focused on Protecting Landlords
Serving Landlords Across Los Angeles County
No matter where you manage properties in Los Angeles County, California Property Law Group has you covered. We’re proud to help with evictions for landlords in:
- Downtown Los Angeles
- Hollywood
- Koreatown
- San Fernando Valley
- South Los Angeles
- East Los Angeles
Do you need help with residential or commercial evictions in these places (or anywhere else in LA County)? If so, get in touch.
Why Los Angeles Evictions Require Experienced Legal Counsel
Evictions can be tricky anywhere in California, but not all landlords in this state face the same challenges. Your lawyers should understand LA-specific regulations like the Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Right to Counsel Program Ordinance.
Since California Property Law Group is a deeply knowledgeable firm, you won’t have to worry about us overlooking these factors. We know exactly what Los Angeles property owners need while pursuing evictions, and we can prepare compliant filings that won’t put your case at risk of dismissal.
CONTACT USHow the Eviction Process Works for Los Angeles Landlords
California Eviction Laws and Unlawful Detainer Actions
In California, an “unlawful detainer” is another term for an eviction lawsuit. Before you start working on one of these civil cases, you should know that California-area landlords can’t just start the eviction process whenever they want.
According to AB 1482, real estate owners in this state can only file for evictions if they have a “just cause” reason for doing so. You’ll also need to keep other statewide laws and relevant local ordinances in mind while pursuing an eviction in LA.
Los Angeles City Ordinances and Rent Control Rules
As part of your research into Los Angeles ordinances, you’ll want to understand the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance. This law sets limitations on rent increases for multiunit rental properties built in the City of Los Angeles before October 1, 1978. According to the RSO, property owners can raise rent on these properties by 3% or less per year.
The Tenant Right to Counsel Ordinance (TRTCO) requires affected property owners to post a Notice of Tenant Right to Counsel – tenants in the City of Los Angeles may qualify for a free lawyer paid for by your tax dollars. This means it’s even more important to hire experienced counsel who can go toe to to toe with the lawyers on the other side.
If you’re a landlord anywhere in Los Angeles County, complying with these ordinances and other local laws while trying to evict a tenant isn’t optional. Failing to comply with even a single rule or regulation can delay or defeat your lawsuit entirely.
Required Notices for Los Angeles Landlords
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all eviction Notice. Depending on your situation, you may need to use one of the following documents:
- 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit. This Notice applies to evictions landlords pursue due to late rent payments.
- 3-Day Notice to Perform Covenants or Quit. You can use this Notice when a tenant violates the terms of their lease but can still fix the underlying issue.
- 3-Day Notice to Quit (Serious Problems). If a tenant has done significant damage to your property or used their unit for illegal activity, this Notice applies.
- 60-Day Notice to Quit. This Notice applies when terminating a tenancy of over one year for a no-fault reason. This notice may require relocation assistance, which, in the City of Los Angeles, can be as high as $26,550.
These are just a few Notices landlords use in Los Angeles. No matter what Notice is the best fit for your circumstances, you’ll need to use the correct language and give proper Notice to tenants to avoid problems.
Common Notice Mistakes That Delay Evictions
When they aren’t familiar with Los Angeles’ legal requirements for Notices, landlords may make mistakes like:
- Failing to give proper Notice
- Not carefully documenting lease violations
- Submitting the wrong Notice
- Accepting rent after issuing an eviction Notice
- Trying to perform self-help evictions
Common Eviction Scenarios Landlords Face in Los Angeles
Non-Payment of Rent Evictions
If a tenant isn’t paying rent, you’re within your rights to start the eviction process under AB 1482. In Los Angeles, scenarios that can lead to this point include unpaid rent and partial rent payments (especially if this has become a recurring issue).
Lease Violations and Unauthorized Occupants
Many LA-area landlords are familiar with lease violations like illegal activities, safety issues, subletting, and unauthorized occupants. In California, violations like these are another acceptable reason to pursue a tenant eviction. That applies to both long-term tenants who violate their leases and renters who go against short-term rental agreements.
Nuisance and Property Damage Evictions
Other common lease violations are related to nuisances such as noise complaints (especially in Los Angeles’ dense housing). Landlords can legally pursue nuisance-related evictions, as well as evictions motivated by damage to their properties. That said, they’ll need to have thorough documentation for these cases to hold up.
Owner Move-In and No-Fault Evictions
Not all evictions are related to tenant misbehavior. California landlords can also serve Notices for “no-fault” evictions when they want to:
- Move into an occupied unit
- Recover a unit for a resident manager or relative
- Withdraw a unit from the rental market permanently
However, pursuing these evictions still takes a great deal of work. You’ll need to comply with Notice, timing, and documentation requirements, as well as Los Angeles’ legal obligations related to relocation assistance.e correct and enforce court judgments. That should allow you to avoid delays and errors during the eviction process.
How an Eviction Attorney Helps Los Angeles Landlords
Filing and Managing Eviction Lawsuits
If you’re pursuing any type of lawsuit, procedural accuracy and compliance are key. Because of that, most landlords shouldn’t try to prepare and file their own unlawful detainer actions.
Instead, get the peace of mind that comes with letting eviction lawyers for landlords take care of these efforts for you. Professional legal counsel will also give you the guidance you need to manage tenant responses and avoid delays throughout this process.
Court Representation in Los Angeles Eviction Courts
Not all evictions lead to a full trial, but it’s wise to work with legal professionals in case this does happen. That means you’ll want to find a legal team you can trust with hearings, motions, and trials.
The attorneys at California Property Law Group specialize in unlawful detainer cases, and our team members have a great deal of experience in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. That familiarity with local court procedures will give you the edge you need throughout your case.
Defending Against Tenant Claims and Delays
If you’re trying to evict a tenant, you should expect them to fight back. During the eviction process, you may have to respond to tenant defenses related to habitability, discrimination, and retaliation.
When dealing with claims like these, you’ll need to follow a strategy that won’t leave you vulnerable. By working with the pros at California Property Law Group, you’ll have no trouble dealing with these arguments (and avoiding delays in the eviction process).
Reducing Risk and Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Pursuing an eviction is far from a risk-free process. If you aren’t cautious, you could accidentally violate state/local regulations and open yourself up to financial and legal consequences.
On the other hand, getting professional legal representation will keep these dangers to an absolute minimum. When you have a compliance-driven legal strategy, you won’t have to worry about your case being dismissed or restarted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is a Lawyer for a Landlord in Los Angeles?
The cost of hiring a Los Angeles lawyer for eviction proceedings will vary based on a few factors. The complexity of your case, the defenses your tenant plans to use, and rent control issues can all affect these rates.
How Quickly Can a Tenant Be Evicted in Los Angeles?
Evicting a Los Angeles-area tenant can take quite a while. According to the California Courts Self-Help Guide, evictions can take 30 to 45 days to complete. In Los Angeles, that number is significantly higher – most evictions take between 90 to 120 days from notice to lockout. Common mistakes like not giving proper Notice or not having proper documentation for the tenancy can make the case take even longer.
Does a Landlord Need a Lawyer for an Eviction?
If you have your property in a business, trust or other entity (LLC, LLP, etc.), you will need to hire a lawyer. Entities cannot represent themselves in California – they must be represented by a licensed attorney.
Even when they can represent themselves in court, most California landlords shouldn’t try to do so. Working with skilled legal professionals is the best way to meet compliance requirements and avoid procedural mistakes.
Work With Trusted Los Angeles Eviction Lawyers for Landlords
No matter what circumstances you’re dealing with in your efforts to evict a tenant, you won’t get the best results on your own. Instead, Los Angeles landlords, property owners, and property managers can streamline this process by working with California Property Law Group.
As the area’s most experienced eviction lawyers for landlords, we’ll do everything we can to ensure our clients’ landlord-tenant matters go smoothly. Along the way, you’ll benefit from our focus on landlord-only representation, compliance, and efficiency. Take the first step by getting a free consultation before you file your next Notice!
