What notice must an LA landlord give before an eviction?

Notice, then court — never a lockout

The lawful route is a written notice, then an unlawful detainer action in court, then a judgment, then enforcement by the sheriff. A landlord who changes the locks, removes your possessions or doors, or cuts utilities to force you out is acting unlawfully; California law allows a tenant to recover actual damages plus up to $100 for each day of the violation, with a minimum of $250 (Civil Code § 789.3).

If that is happening, it is an emergency and worth immediate advice.

The notice has to be right

Different grounds require different notices with different periods. A notice to pay rent or quit, or to fix a lease violation, gives three days that exclude Saturdays, Sundays and court holidays, and a rent notice must state the amount due and the name, telephone number and address of the person to pay (Code of Civil Procedure § 1161). Ending a month-to-month tenancy without a claimed breach generally takes 30 days' written notice, or 60 days if you have lived there a year or more (Civil Code § 1946.1) — and in most cases the landlord also needs a legal reason, discussed below.

A notice that states the wrong amount, names the wrong parties, gives the wrong period or is not served in one of the ways the law allows (Code of Civil Procedure § 1162) can be defective, and a defective notice can defeat the eviction case built on it. Do not assume a notice is valid because it looks official.

Local protections add requirements

State law requires a legal reason ("just cause") to end many tenancies once a tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months, and for most no-fault terminations requires the landlord to pay relocation assistance or waive rent equal to one month's rent (Civil Code § 1946.2). The City of Los Angeles goes further. Units under its Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), and most other rental units in the city under its Just Cause Ordinance (JCO) once a tenant has stayed six months or the first lease has expired, can only be ended for listed reasons, with relocation assistance for no-fault evictions. In the city, every eviction notice must also be filed with the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) within three business days of service, landlords must give tenants the city's Notice of Right to Counsel with any eviction notice (since August 20, 2025), and since March 27, 2023 a landlord generally cannot evict for unpaid rent unless the amount owed exceeds one month's Fair Market Rent for the unit size (LAHD: Just Cause Ordinance).

Other cities in the county, and unincorporated LA County, have their own rules. This is why two neighbors in similar buildings can have quite different rights. Check coverage for your address before assuming anything.

1. Keep the notice and the envelope

   Method and date of service are part of whether it is valid.

2. Check whether your unit has local protections

   It changes what grounds are available to the landlord.

3. Respond in writing to anything factually wrong

   Particularly a stated arrears figure that is incorrect.

4. Get help before the deadline, not after

   Court self-help centers and legal aid organizations help tenants with these cases — see our self-help map.

Common questions

Official sources

• CCP § 1167 (UD response time, AB 2347)
• CCP § 1161 (3-day notices)
• CCP § 1162 (service of notice)
• Civil Code § 789.3 (lockouts/utility shutoff)
• Civil Code § 1946.1 (30/60-day notice)
• Civil Code § 1946.2 (Tenant Protection Act just cause)