Eviction Process in California: Landlord Rights, Price, Tenant Law (VIDEO)
An eviction is one of the worst things that could happen to an apartment renter. Whether the renter has lost his or her job receiving an eviction notice is certainly an unpleasant deal. Not taking care of eviction on time will have the renter’s lock changed by the sheriffs and will have legal problems with the local court.
On one hand, the legal costs of eviction have gone down from $2,000 on average, to $63. On the other, the rents have increased drastically. Consumers have not choice but to adapt to the increasing monthly expenses.
What Does the Eviction Cost Include
An eviction isn’t something to take lightly even though legal evection costs have declined. Remember that those costs don’t include court fees, moving fees, property repair, the security deposit for a new apartment, and other hidden costs. Depending on the area you live costs will potentially go up. The eviction process is something that you should always avoid. Not only for the high costs but for the headache and trips to the court office.
How Does an Eviction Affect You?
Evictions may cause you problems even after you move. If the landlord that evicted you obtains an eviction judgment against you in court. The eviction will most likely show up in your credit report. Evictions are known to drastically lower credit scores pretty quickly since the landlord could send your unpaid rent to a collection agency. After it gets to a collection agency the bill will most likely double in price because of the late penalties.
Even if you don’t see it in your credit report your future landlord will be able to see it when he or she does your screening service. They will find out about your eviction problem.
The Eviction Process
The eviction process works like this; when the tenant(s) fails to pay the monthly rent on time a “3-day notice to pay rent or quit” is given to the resident or left on the front door. If the resident fails to pay the monthly rent along with the late fees the landlord with file an eviction order with the local civil court. The landlord will also contact the sheriff’s department to replace the locks on the doors.
If the resident fails to pay rent within the 6th day the resident will be served with the eviction court order and will have to leave the apartment complex. At this time if the resident comes up with the monthly rent and late fees payment. The landlord will probably let him or her stay but it all depends on the property landlord. After the resident gets served he or she will have to go to court and a judge will decide how much will have to be paid. The total payment is usually and at the same time. The sheriff’s department will return and remove anyone inside the residence. If the resident returns to the property and goes inside he or she will be arrested for trespassing.
Landlord Will Give Evicted Resident a Date
The landlord will usually give the evicted resident a date when he or she could return to remove their belongings. The landlord is usually accompanied by a police officer or a sheriff.
The entire eviction process is a complete mess that should be avoided. Therefore, you have to make sure you have at least a month or two rent saved for an emergency. If you lose your job and don’t have any savings you should sell your belongings to come up with the cash. Selling a laptop or flat-screen TV to pay for rent is always better than being evicted.