Tenant Protections | City Attorney (2024)

• Unlawful Detainer
  If you get a 3, 30, 60, 90-day notice, or any other notice to terminate, then your landlord can file a lawsuit with the court called an "unlawful detainer" that can lead to your eviction.This is a court complaint your landlord has filed to have you evicted. You should immediately get a lawyer or contact a legal aid organization to help you file your answer with the court. Once you file your answer, you will be given a trial date. At the trial, you can explain your case and if you win, you won't be evicted. If you don’t file an answer within five days, you can’t appear in court. A default judgment will be entered against you. Once the default is entered, you can be evicted. File a response with the court no matter what - even if you think your landlord has no right to evict you.
  
• Illegal Lockout
  It is illegal for a landlord to lock you out,remove doors or windows, change locks, cutoff utility services, or use other forms of harassment to make you move out. You canfile a complaint with LAPD if yourlandlord locks you out or cuts off yourutilities. You can sue your landlord for lockout damages in small claims court and file a harassment complaint against your landlord with the L.A. City Housing Department online or bycalling 866-557-7368.

The Los Angeles Housing Department provides resources for those at risk of being evicted.

Additional Resources and Legal Aid Organizations