Facing Eviction in Los Angeles: What Can I Do?

This is not legal advice. We explain what the law says. We cannot tell you what to do in your situation. For that, talk to a lawyer. Find free legal and rent help in Los Angeles.

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In Los Angeles, a landlord needs a legal reason to end most tenancies. A notice is not an eviction. Only a court can order you out. This page explains the city rules, the notices, the court deadline, and free help. For the full court process, see the California eviction guide.

  1. Los Angeles has a Just Cause Ordinance, a city law that bans evictions without a legal reason. It protects you once you have lived in the unit 6 months, or once your first lease ends, whichever comes first.

    Los Angeles Housing Department Rental Units Covered Under JCO

  2. The city law covers most Los Angeles rentals that are not already under the city Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Units already covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance have their own list of legal eviction reasons.

    Los Angeles Housing Department Rental Units Covered Under JCO Los Angeles Housing Department What is Covered under the RSO

  3. At fault reasons include not paying rent, breaking the lease, damaging the unit, or blocking legally required access. If the eviction is your fault, the landlord does not owe you moving money.

    Los Angeles Housing Department Legal Reasons for Eviction California Legislative Information Civil Code § 1946.2(b)(1)(A)

  4. For unpaid rent, the landlord must serve a written 3 day notice first. Weekends and court holidays do not count in the 3 days. The notice must state the exact amount owed.

    California Legislature Code of Civil Procedure § 1161(2)

  5. No fault evictions include the owner moving in, leaving the rental business, or a major remodel. In those cases the landlord owes you 1 month of rent as moving help, or must let you skip your last month of rent.

    Los Angeles Housing Department Legal Reasons for Eviction California Legislative Information Civil Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)

  6. If the landlord skips the moving help rules, the notice to end your lease does not count. A judge can throw out the eviction case because of it.

    California Legislative Information Civil Code § 1946.2(d)(4)

  7. Every eviction notice in the city must also be filed with the Los Angeles Housing Department within 3 business days of serving you. Ask the department if your notice was filed.

    Los Angeles Housing Department Eviction Notices Filed with LAHD

  8. If you stay past the notice, the landlord must sue in court to evict you. Once you get the court papers, you have 10 days to file a response. Weekends and court holidays do not count. If you never respond, you can lose by default.

    California Legislature Code of Civil Procedure § 1167(a)

  9. A landlord who evicts in bad faith can owe you money in court. That includes your real losses, and up to 3 times more if the landlord acted with fraud or malice (meaning to cause harm).

    California Legislative Information Civil Code § 1946.2(h)(1)(C)

  10. Call the Los Angeles Housing Department at 1-866-557-7368 if you think your eviction is illegal. You can also file a complaint online and an investigator will review it.

    Los Angeles Housing Department File a Complaint

Published by Nazanin · September 24, 2026 · sources checked October 5, 2026

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