Your step-by-step guide to evicting a problem tenant in California Sooner or later, nearly every residential landlord has to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent, property damage, an illegal sublet (including Airbnb), or another violation of the lease or the law. You don't always need to hire a lawyer, but you do need reliable information, particularly if your property is under rent control. Here, you'll find all of the forms you need along with clear, step-by-step instructions on how to: prepare nonpayment of rent notices prepare 3-, 30-, 60-, and 90-day notices complete and serve all required eviction forms deal with tenants' delaying tactics, and file your -unlawful detainer- complaint in court. Just filing an eviction lawsuit may prompt the tenant to leave. If it doesn't, you'll learn how to: handle a contested eviction suit by yourself--and know when to get professional help respond to a tenant's defenses and claims evict a tenant who has filed for bankruptcy or is occupying property you purchased at a foreclosure sale, and collect unpaid rent after you win.