Common Mistakes Landlords Make During Tenant Evictions

If you’re a landlord dealing with a tenant who won’t pay rent or keeps violating the lease, you might feel tempted to take matters into your own hands. But before you think about changing the locks or shutting off utilities, stop. Those actions could cost you thousands of dollars.

Hi, I’m Bijian Shakibkoo, co-founder and managing partner at SNS Law Group. In this video, I’ll explain why self-help evictions are illegal in California and how they can lead to serious penalties, lawsuits, and delays. I’ll also walk you through the only lawful way to evict a tenant and how to protect yourself every step of the way.

Transcript:

Are you a landlord dealing with a tenant who won’t pay rent, won’t leave, or keeps breaking the lease? You might be thinking to yourself, I’ll just change the locks and be done with it. Well, that move could cost you thousands of dollars.

Hi, my name is Bijian Shakibkoo. I’m a co-founder and managing partner here at SNS Law Group. And if you enjoy this video, please feel free to like and subscribe.

Self-Help Evictions Are Not Permitted

In California, you cannot use what’s called a self-help eviction. That means no changing the locks, shutting off utilities, tossing out the tenant’s belongings, or using threats or harassment to force them out. If you do any of that, you could be facing civil penalties, a lawsuit from the tenant, and you still won’t get the property back any faster.

Legal Evictions Require an Unlawful Detainer Action

The only legal way to evict a tenant is by filing an unlawful detainer action. Once the court rules in your favor, the sheriff will handle the physical eviction, not you. If you’re a landlord, don’t risk penalties trying to take shortcuts.

Contact an Eviction Lawyer in Los Angeles

At SNS Law Group, we handle evictions by the book—fast, efficient, and 100% legal. So feel free to give our office a call. We’ll be more than happy to help.