Unlawful Detainer



Disclaimer: This website does not give you legal advice. This is only general information.

An Unlawful Detainer is a lawsuit that a landlord files in court to evict a tenant. This lawsuit is filed after the landlord has given the proper notice to evict the tenant. The trial usually takes one day and the Judge will rule either in favor of the landlord or the tenant.

Important Note: It is usually advantageous to both parties to try to find a resolution out of court this can either be done by coming to an agreement on your own or by working with one of the mediation providers in Fresno County.

Notices are very difficult, and not easy to explain what kind of notice a landlord has to give in each case. Please ensure you are using the proper notice. A notice is not a court form and If the notice is defective, the landlord may lose the case automatically. To ensure you have a valid notice please click here for more information.

The landlord and tenant do not have to get a lawyer. But, there are strict court rules and court forms you have to fill out, file and serve. The rules and forms are complicated. If you don't do things correctly, you may lose your case.



Form Description ................................................................................................. Form

Claim of Right to Possession and notice of Hearing ............................................ CP-10

Prejudgment Claim of Right to Possession .......................................................... CP-10.5

Summons—Unlawful Detainer—Eviction ............................................................ SUM-130

Complaint—Unlawful Detainer ............................................................................. UD-100

Plaintiff's Mandatory Cover Sheet and Supplemental Allegations ....................... UD-101

Unlawful Detainer

Cover Sheet for Declaration of Covid-19–Related Financial Distress ................. UD-104

Attachment—Declaration of Covid-19–Related Financial Distress ...................... UD-104A

Answer—Unlawful Detainer ................................................................................. UD-105

Form Interrogatories—Unlawful Detainer ............................................................ UD-106

Judgment—Unlawful Detainer ............................................................................. UD-110

Judgment—Unlawful Detainer Attachment .......................................................... UD-110S

Stipulation for Entry of Judgment ........................................................................ UD-115

Declaration for Default Judgment by Court ........................................................ UD-116

(Unlawful Detainer—Civ. Proc., § 585(d))

Verification by Landlord Regarding Rental Assistance ...................................... UD-120 - Unlawful Detainer

Application to Prevent Forfeiture Due to COVID-19 Rental Debt ..................... UD-125

Request/Counter-Request to Set Case for Trial—Unlawful Detainer .............. UD-150

Form Interrogatories—Unlawful Detainer ........................................................ DISC-003