FAQ — Evictions760 | Riverside County Tenant Rights

Question 1

What is an Unlawful Detainer (UD)?

Accepted Answer

An Unlawful Detainer is the formal legal name for an eviction lawsuit in California. When a landlord files a UD, they are asking the court to order you to leave the property. Being served with a UD summons means the lawsuit has been filed — you have 5 business days to file a written response or you may lose by default.

Question 2

I received a 3-day notice. Does that mean I'm being evicted?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. A 3-day notice is the first step a landlord must take before filing an eviction lawsuit. It gives you 3 days to pay overdue rent, fix a lease violation, or vacate. If you comply within the 3 days, the landlord cannot proceed with the eviction. If you don't, they may then file an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit in court.

Question 3

How long does the eviction process take in California?

Accepted Answer

The timeline varies. After a notice period (3, 30, or 60 days), the landlord can file a UD lawsuit. Once served, you have 10 business days to respond. If you file an Answer, a court hearing is typically scheduled within 20 days. The entire process from first notice to a court judgment can take anywhere from 3 weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the case and court scheduling.

Question 4

What happens if I don't respond to the eviction lawsuit?

Accepted Answer

If you are served with an Unlawful Detainer summons and do not file a written Answer within 5 business days, the landlord can request a default judgment against you. A default judgment means the court rules in the landlord's favor without hearing your side. This can result in a lockout order and a judgment on your record. Filing a response is critical — even if you're not sure you can win.

Question 5

Can I be evicted during a weekend or holiday?

Accepted Answer

Court deadlines are counted in business days, so weekends and court holidays do not count toward your response window. However, a sheriff's lockout can occur on any day after a writ of possession is issued. If you receive a notice to vacate from the sheriff, contact us immediately.

Question 6

What defenses can I raise against an eviction?

Accepted Answer

California law provides tenants with a range of affirmative defenses depending on the circumstances. Common defenses include: the landlord failed to maintain habitable conditions (warranty of habitability), the eviction is retaliatory (you complained about repairs or conditions), the notice was improperly served or contained errors, the landlord accepted rent after serving the notice, or the property is subject to local rent control or just-cause eviction protections. We identify which defenses apply to your specific situation when preparing your documents.

Question 7

Does California have just-cause eviction protections?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act of 2019), most tenants who have lived in a rental for 12 months or more are protected from eviction without just cause. Just cause includes non-payment of rent, lease violations, and certain no-fault reasons (like owner move-in). Many cities in Riverside County have additional local protections. We review your specific situation to identify which protections apply to you.

Question 8

My landlord is threatening to change the locks or shut off utilities. Is that legal?

Accepted Answer

No. In California, a landlord cannot lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off utilities to force you to leave — even if you owe rent. This is called a 'self-help eviction' and it is illegal. The landlord must go through the court process. If your landlord does any of these things, you may have legal remedies including damages. Document everything and contact us immediately.

Question 9

Can my landlord evict me for complaining about repairs?

Accepted Answer

No. Retaliatory eviction is illegal in California. If you made a complaint about habitability, contacted a government agency, or exercised a legal right, and your landlord then tries to evict you within 180 days, there is a legal presumption of retaliation. This is a strong affirmative defense that we can include in your response documents.

Question 10

Are you a law firm? Do you provide legal advice?

Accepted Answer

Evictions760 is a legal document preparation service, not a law firm. We do not provide independent legal advice. All document preparation is performed under the supervision of a licensed California attorney who is available for direct court representation when needed. We prepare the documents — the attorney is available if your case requires representation.

Question 11

How is Evictions760 different from just downloading a form online?

Accepted Answer

Generic forms don't know your case. We review your specific situation — the type of notice, the dates, your tenancy history, and the facts — and prepare documents that reflect your actual defenses and circumstances. With 25 years of Riverside County Superior Court experience, we know what the clerks require, what judges look for, and what mistakes cost tenants their cases. A form you fill out yourself won't identify the defenses you may not know you have.

Question 12

How fast can you prepare my documents?

Accepted Answer

Standard turnaround is 24–72 hours depending on the service. Notice Response Letters are typically same-day. Unlawful Detainer Responses are 24–48 hours. Full Case Packages are 48–72 hours. If your deadline is urgent, note it in your intake form and we will prioritize your case. Expedited 6-hour turnaround is available for an additional $75.

Question 13

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We serve tenants throughout Riverside County, California — including Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, Palm Springs, Indio, Perris, and surrounding cities. All documents are prepared to Riverside County Superior Court standards.

Question 14

Do you offer services in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Spanish document translation is available for an additional $40. Note this when completing your intake form and we will prepare your documents in both English and Spanish.

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