Filing Eviction Unlawful Detainer Complaint Thru Attorney

[Manny T. Marcos]

I recently served a tenant a Notice to Pay or Quit.  The tenant hasn't paid for 3.5 months and his lease expired on March 1, 2016.  I've heard all of his stories ("I'm sick.", "I promise to be out on the 15th, 18th, 24th...." so-on so-on, tell me a story).  I have now contacted an Attorney to file the UD through the courts.  The attorney says she would charge $750 to file, pus or $250/hr should it go to court; or, $1000 flat fee from day 1 to tenant leaving voluntary or forcibly within a given timeframe.  First, do these sound like good prices and second, is it difficult to do yourself? I am in California and so is my tenant, if it wasn't already obvious.  Thank you.

[Thomas S.]

If you do a search under "California tenant eviction process" it seems fairly simple and in your case straight forward.

Do us all a favour and do not bribe a bad tenant to leave. Take him to court and have the eviction officially on his record for all landlords to see when screening him in the future. He is a criminal do not reward him for his behaviour.