3-Day Notice

The Complete Eviction Timeline for California Landlords

August 01, 20252 min read

A Real Landlord Story

John, a landlord in Los Angeles, thought eviction would take “just a couple weeks.” But because his first notice was served incorrectly, the case was dismissed, and he lost two more months of rent. After hiring Landlord Eviction Services, every step was handled properly, and the eviction was completed in the fastest possible timeline.

⭐ “I wish I had called them from the start. They saved me time, stress, and thousands in rent.” – John, Los Angeles

Why the Eviction Timeline Matters

In California, eviction is not instant—even if your tenant hasn’t paid rent in months. Each step follows a strict legal timeline, and one mistake can reset the clock. For landlords, understanding the process is the difference between regaining possession quickly or losing months of rental income.

Step 1: Serving the Notice

The timeline starts when you serve a 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit (for nonpayment) or another legally required notice depending on the situation. If the notice isn’t worded or delivered correctly, the entire process can be thrown out in court.

3 day notice

Step 2: Filing the Unlawful Detainer

If the tenant ignores the notice, the next step is filing an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit. This officially brings the matter to court and begins the legal eviction timeline.

Step 3: Court Hearing & Judgment

If the tenant contests, you may have a court hearing within a few weeks. If you win, the judge issues a Judgment for Possession.

Step 4: Writ of Possession & Sheriff Lockout

Once judgment is entered, you must request a Writ of Possession. The sheriff then posts a notice on the tenant’s door, usually giving them 5 days before a scheduled lockout.

Why Landlords Choose Us

  • ✅ Notices prepared and served correctly

  • ✅ Court filings handled from start to finish

  • ✅ Faster results with fewer mistakes

  • ✅ Experienced team focused on landlord rights

Don’t waste months—get the eviction timeline right the first time.

📞 Call Landlord Eviction Services today to start the process.


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Thomas Reed is a property management consultant and legal writer with 12+ years of experience helping landlords navigate California’s rental laws. He focuses on eviction strategies, compliance, and protecting landlord rights through practical, easy-to-follow insights.

Thomas Reed

Thomas Reed is a property management consultant and legal writer with 12+ years of experience helping landlords navigate California’s rental laws. He focuses on eviction strategies, compliance, and protecting landlord rights through practical, easy-to-follow insights.

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