Practice Area
Landlord Representation & Unlawful Detainer
When rent stops, or a tenancy ends badly, the property owner's window to act is short and the procedure is unforgiving.
Who the firm represents
- California residential landlords and property owners
- Small commercial landlords
- Property owners and authorized property-management entities, subject to confirming the identity of the client
Common disputes and services
- Nonpayment of rent
- Lease violations
- Notices
- Unlawful-detainer actions
- Holdover occupants
- Property-damage disputes
- Settlement and possession agreements
What may be at risk
- Continued loss of rental income
- Damage to the property during the tenancy
- Statutory compliance with notice requirements
- Recovery of possession within the applicable timeline
Immediate practical steps
- 01Before accepting a partial payment after serving a notice, obtain advice about how the payment may affect the notice or proceeding.
- 02Preserve the lease, ledger, and all tenant communications.
- 03Document the current condition of the property.
- 04Confirm any applicable local rent-control or just-cause ordinances.
Evidence and documents to preserve
- Signed lease and any amendments
- Payment ledger and bank records
- Notices already served on the tenant
- Photographs of the property condition
The firm's approach
Unlawful detainer is procedural. Notices, service, and pleadings must be exactly right — the firm manages the procedural sequence and pursues recovery of possession as efficiently as the facts and applicable law permit.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an unlawful detainer take?+
Timelines vary by county, defenses raised, and whether local ordinances apply. Uncontested matters generally move faster than contested ones.
Does the firm represent tenants?+
The firm's landlord-tenant practice is oriented toward landlords and property owners.
This material is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing or communicating about this material does not create an attorney-client relationship. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this page or by contacting the firm before an engagement is confirmed in writing.