Question 1

How long does an eviction take in California?

Accepted Answer

An uncontested eviction in Tulare or Kings County typically takes 30–45 days from the date the notice is served to the Sheriff's lockout. The timeline breaks down roughly as: 3-day notice period, 5–7 days to prepare and file the Unlawful Detainer, 5–10 days for the tenant to be served, 5 days for the tenant to respond, and 10–15 days to obtain a default judgment and Writ of Possession. If the tenant contests the eviction, the case goes to trial and can take 60–90 days or longer.

Question 2

What is an Unlawful Detainer?

Accepted Answer

An Unlawful Detainer (UD) is the legal term for an eviction lawsuit in California. It is a civil court action filed in Superior Court that gives the tenant formal notice of the eviction claim and an opportunity to respond. If the tenant does not respond within 5 business days, you can request a default judgment for possession. If they do respond, the case proceeds to a court hearing.

Question 3

What happens if the tenant doesn't leave after the notice expires?

Accepted Answer

If the tenant does not comply with the notice — either by paying the overdue rent, correcting the violation, or vacating — you can proceed to file an Unlawful Detainer complaint with the Superior Court. You cannot physically remove the tenant yourself. Only the Sheriff, acting on a court-issued Writ of Possession, can legally remove a tenant from the property.

Question 4

Can I change the locks or remove the tenant's belongings myself?

Accepted Answer

No. Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities, or physically removing a tenant without a court order — are illegal in California regardless of how long the tenant has been in default. Doing so exposes you to significant civil liability, including actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. The only legal way to remove a tenant is through the court process and Sheriff enforcement.

Question 5

What is a Writ of Possession?

Accepted Answer

A Writ of Possession is a court order directing the Sheriff to remove the tenant and restore possession of the property to you. After a judgment for possession is entered, we prepare the Writ and submit it to the court. The Sheriff then posts a 5-day notice on the property. If the tenant has not vacated by the end of that period, the Sheriff returns to physically remove them and change the locks.

Question 6

What type of notice do I need to serve?

Accepted Answer

The correct notice depends on the reason for eviction. For non-payment of rent, you need a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit. For lease violations, a 3-Day Notice to Perform Covenant or Quit. For incurable violations (illegal activity, serious damage), a 3-Day Notice to Quit. For month-to-month tenancies of less than one year, a 30-Day Notice to Vacate. For tenancies of one year or more, a 60-Day Notice. Subsidized housing may require a 90-Day Notice. Serving the wrong notice type is one of the most common reasons evictions get dismissed — we make sure you serve the right one.

Question 7

Does the notice have to be served in a specific way?

Accepted Answer

Yes. California law requires strict compliance with service rules. Personal service (handing the notice directly to the tenant) is preferred. If the tenant is not home, you may use substituted service — leaving it with a person of suitable age at the property and mailing a copy. If no one is home, you may use nail-and-mail service — posting it on the front door and mailing a copy. The method used affects when the notice period begins, and improper service can void the entire case.

Question 8

What is AB 1482 and does it affect my eviction?

Accepted Answer

AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act of 2019) imposes just cause eviction requirements and rent caps on certain residential properties in California. If your property is covered, you can only evict for specific reasons (non-payment, lease violation, owner move-in, etc.) and must provide relocation assistance for no-fault evictions. Single-family homes with proper written notice to tenants, condos, and properties built within the last 15 years are generally exempt. We will assess whether AB 1482 applies to your property before preparing any documents.

Question 9

Can I evict a tenant who is on a month-to-month lease?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the requirements depend on how long the tenant has lived there and whether AB 1482 applies. For tenancies under one year, a 30-Day Notice to Vacate is generally sufficient. For tenancies of one year or more, a 60-Day Notice is required. If AB 1482 applies to your property, you must have a just cause reason for the termination. We will review your specific situation and prepare the correct notice.

Question 10

How much does an eviction cost?

Accepted Answer

The total cost of an eviction includes our document preparation fees plus court filing fees. Court filing fees in California for an Unlawful Detainer are currently $240–$435 depending on the amount of rent claimed. Process server fees typically run $75–$150. Our document preparation fees vary by service — contact us for a specific quote based on your situation. We are significantly less expensive than hiring an attorney for an uncontested eviction.

Question 11

Can I recover the unpaid rent from the tenant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When we file the Unlawful Detainer, we can include a claim for past-due rent in addition to possession. If judgment is entered in your favor, you receive both a judgment for possession and a money judgment for the unpaid rent. Collecting on the money judgment is a separate process — you can garnish wages, levy bank accounts, or place a lien on property — but having the judgment is the necessary first step.

Question 12

Do I need a lawyer for an eviction?

Accepted Answer

For straightforward, uncontested evictions, most landlords do not need an attorney. A registered Legal Document Assistant (LDA) like Rapid Eviction Services can prepare all required documents at a fraction of attorney fees. However, if the tenant contests the eviction, raises complex defenses (habitability, retaliation, discrimination), or if the case involves significant money claims, we strongly recommend consulting a licensed California eviction attorney. We can refer you to trusted local counsel when needed.

Question 13

What counties do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We serve landlords and property managers throughout Tulare County and Kings County, California. We file with Tulare County Superior Court in Visalia and Kings County Superior Court in Hanford. Cities we regularly serve include Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Exeter, Lindsay, Dinuba, Woodlake, Farmersville, Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran, Avenal, and surrounding communities.

Question 14

Are you a law firm?

Accepted Answer

No. Rapid Eviction Services is a registered Legal Document Assistant (LDA) service, registered and compliant with California Business and Professions Code §6400 et seq. We prepare legal documents and assist with court filings — we do not provide legal advice, represent clients in court, or practice law. For legal advice or court representation, you need a licensed California attorney. We are transparent about this distinction and will always tell you when your situation requires an attorney.

Question 15

How quickly can you get started?

Accepted Answer

We respond to all inquiries the same business day, often within the hour. Once we have your case details and signed service agreement, we can typically prepare your initial notice the same day or next business day. Speed matters in evictions — every day of delay is another day of lost rent. We move as fast as the law allows.

Question 16

What information do I need to provide to get started?

Accepted Answer

To get started, we need: the tenant's full name(s) and the rental property address, the reason for eviction (non-payment, lease violation, etc.), the amount of rent owed and the dates it covers (for non-payment cases), a copy of the lease or rental agreement, and any prior notices you have already served. The more complete your information, the faster we can prepare your documents.

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