Landlords in California can evict a tenant for violating the lease, not paying rent, or committing illegal acts in the property. In all cases, you’ll need to provide your tenants with written notice before you evict them. The process in California can be confusing, so consider seeking legal advice or help from a property manager when you need to remove a tenant.
California Evictions: Nonpayment of Rent
The most common reason to evict a tenant is nonpayment of rent. When your tenant isn’t paying, you need to take several steps before you file for eviction. First, consult your lease. Find out if there’s a grace period you need to allow. Once the grace period has passed and your tenant still hasn’t paid, you can deliver a Three Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit. If the tenants do not move out or catch up with their rent payment, your next step is hire an attorney to file an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit. This will set the eviction process in motion.
California Evictions: Lease Violations
There are many ways that a tenant can violate the lease. Maybe pets are prohibited and you find out that the tenant has two dogs in the property. You will deliver a Three Day Notice to Cure, which gives the tenant three days to rectify the situation. If the three days come and go and the dogs have not been relocated, you would move ahead towards the court eviction.
California Evictions: Illegal Activity
Your lease should include language that prohibits illegal activity in your home. If you discover that something is going on in your property that violates the law, you can file a Three Day Unconditional Quit Notice. Maybe you have evidence of drug activity or severe property damage. With a violation of this magnitude, you don’t have to give the tenants an opportunity to fix the problem or come into lease compliance. You can simply tell them to be out in three days.
These are the most common reasons that Glendale landlords evict their tenants. Thorough tenant screening and a positive relationship with your tenants should help you avoid these types of situations. Eviction is terrible for tenants and it’s also terrible for landlords. You’re left with a vacancy and in some cases, property damage that needs to be repaired.
If you need any help with evictions, please contact us at Glendale Property Management. We’d be happy to tell you more.
