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Tenant Resources
You deserve safe and stable housing.
Need Housing Support?
Frequently Asked Questions
When you receive a court eviction notice (Unlawful Detainer), keep in mind that the eviction process lasts 6-8 weeks or longer. Take a breath and do not move out prematurely. Instead:
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Request free legal support at: stayhousedla.org
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File an Answer at your nearest court Self Help Center or using the Tenant Empowerment Toolkit if you’re pressed for time.
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You must file an Answer to the lawsuit within 10 court days of receiving it. If you do not file an answer, the opposing party will automatically win. This is called a default judgement.
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When you file your Answer, it is advisable to request a jury trial and fill out a fee waiver form.
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Reach out to our team for support by submitting an intake form.
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Attend our next Know Your Rights workshop for your best opportunity to connect with an attorney and receive guiding information.
PLEASE NOTE:
LiBRE does not provide legal representation, but our team can help you connect with a free attorney through the Stay Housed LA program. While legal representation is not guaranteed, we recommend that anyone going through a court eviction apply through the Stay Housed LA website and attend a Know Your Rights workshop for the best chance at receiving legal support.
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If you did not qualify for legal assistance through Stay Housed LA, don’t lose hope! There are resources available to help you prepare to represent yourself in an eviction case.
Visit stayhousedla.org/self-help-eviction-defense for a full list of videos, webinars, and workshops to help guide you through the process.
You can also attend our next Know Your Rights workshop for an opportunity to speak with a lawyer during our Attorney Q&A session or in a private Counsel and Advice appointment.
Anti-harassment and tenant protection laws prohibit landlords from locking tenants out of their homes without going through court eviction proceedings. Only the Sheriff's department can lock a tenant out, and only when the tenant has lost an eviction court case.
If you have been illegally locked out, you can visit the police department with proof of your tenancy and a copy of this pamphlet and request that they assist you in regaining access to your unit.Not necessarily. A written eviction notice from your landlord is only the start of a lengthy eviction process. You likely have more time than what is stated on your notice, even if you don’t want to go to court.
You can talk with your landlord to see if they’re willing to extend the time, resolve the listed issue, or stop the eviction process altogether.
In the case of a 3-day notice, you have the chance to resolve the issue before your landlord can take further action. If you follow what the notice states or negotiate with your landlord, you can avoid an eviction case.
Make sure you get any agreements you make with your landlord in writing and document any phone or in person conversations and reach out to our team for support by submitting an intake form.No. All landlords must follow the legal eviction process, which starts with a printed paper notice either served to you in person or posted on your door. Notice by any other means is invalid and likely to not hold up in court if your landlord tries to pursue a legal eviction.
If you receive an invalid eviction message, you can use this letter template to inform your landlord of their legal obligations.You can only be evicted for repairs if your unit is undergoing “substantial remodel”. This means your landlord is replacing a major system, using dangerous materials, and/or the work will make your unit unsafe to live in for over 30 days.
In Long Beach, most landlords are required to include relevant permits and provide relocation assistance for substantial remodel evictions. You can learn more about Long Beach substantial remodel protections here.
If you feel that the repairs listed on your eviction notice do not meet substantial remodel requirements, join us at our next Know Your Rights workshop or reach out to our team for support by submitting an intake form.Not necessarily. Your lease agreement is tied to the property address and unit number, not the landlord holding the property. New landlords must honor the lease agreement in place and continue your tenancy under the same terms you set with your previous landlord.
A new landlord can only file for eviction under the same just cause reasons that apply to your tenancy.
Tenants cannot be required to sign a new lease which is substantially different from their existing lease. Any changes made to your lease have to come with sufficient notice, typically at least 30 days.
If your landlord is pressuring you to sign a new lease that is significantly different, this could constitute as harassment.
You can report habitability issues to the Department of Public Health at:
(888) 700-9995 or ehservices.publichealth.lacounty.gov
You can also contact Long Beach Code Enforcement:
(562) 570-2633 or lbcode.org
Your landlord will receive communication from these departments and know that someone filed a complaint.
The statewide rent cap is currently 8%, but may be different depending on where you live and what type of housing you live in.
Tenants living in their unit for over a 12-month period can’t receive more than 2 rent increases a year and the total rent increases can’t exceed the total rent cap.
You can verify if yours is legal at: tenantprotections.org/ calculatorYou can find the full schedule of our upcoming workshops at: wearelbre.org/stayhousedla
Resources Directory
We aim to connect tenants with resources that are outside of the scope of services that our organization offers.
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