How to Evict a Tenant for Nonpayment of Rent in Inglewood, California
The Law Office of Aaron Kohanim has extensive experience with the Inglewood Rent Control. With extensive laws under Rent Control, an experience attorney is needed in order to win an unlawful detainer case.
Call Us Now! To initiate an unlawful detainer. With a simple eviction form, we can create and serve an eviction notice on your behalf and initiate the process.
For a nonpayment of rent case in Culver City Rent Control Properties, a landlord must follow these steps:
Evicting a tenant in Inglewood for nonpayment of rent requires strict compliance with local just cause eviction protections under Inglewood Municipal Code § 8-121 and relevant sections of the California Code of Civil Procedure. The City of Inglewood imposes heightened requirements beyond state law, and landlords must follow each step precisely or risk having their eviction case dismissed.
Step 1: Confirm Just Cause Applies
Under § 8-121(a)(1), nonpayment of rent qualifies as “just cause” for eviction. However, this applies only if the tenant has lawfully and continuously occupied the rental unit for 12 months or more.
Step 2: Ensure the Unit Is Not Exempt
Certain properties are exempt from the just cause requirements under § 8-121(b), such as:
- Owner-occupied properties with no more than one rental unit,
- New construction within the past 15 years, or
- Single-family homes where proper notice of exemption was given under § 8-121(b)(4).
Landlords must confirm and document that their unit does not fall under one of these exemptions before proceeding.
Step 3: Serve a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Before filing an eviction lawsuit, landlords must serve a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure § 1161(2). This notice must:
- Specify the exact amount of unpaid rent,
- Provide the time period covered,
- Give the tenant three calendar days (excluding court holidays) to either pay in full or vacate.
This is considered a non-curable just cause eviction under § 8-121(a)(1), meaning no separate opportunity to cure is required beyond the 3-day notice itself.
Contact our office and we can prepare a three day notice along with service of the notice for a low cost!
Step 4: Include Just Cause Language in the Notice
Under § 8-122(c)(1), the notice must clearly state the “just cause” basis for the eviction (i.e., default in rent payment). If this language is not included, the notice is void under § 8-122(c)(5).
Additionally, § 8-122(b) requires landlords to provide tenants with written notice that their unit is subject to just cause protections:
- For leases after June 1, 2021, this must be included in the lease or as a signed addendum.
- For tenancies before that date, a written notice must have been delivered no later than October 1, 2021.
Step 5: File the Notice with the City
Landlords must file a copy of the 3-day notice with the Housing Protection Department within three days of serving it on the tenant, as required by § 8-122(c)(4).
Step 6: Wait for Compliance or Proceed to Court
If the tenant fails to pay the rent within three days and does not vacate, the landlord may proceed to file an unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuit in court.
Step 7: Relocation Assistance Not Required for Nonpayment
Unlike evictions for owner move-in, withdrawal from the market, or demolition, evictions for nonpayment of rent do not require relocation assistance under § 8-123(b). That section applies only to evictions under § 8-121(a)(11)–(14).
Strict Compliance Required
The City of Inglewood mandates strict compliance with all procedural requirements. Failure to comply with any of the notice provisions—such as omitting just cause language or failing to file with the City—renders the notice void under § 8-122(c)(5).
Conclusion
Evicting a tenant for nonpayment of rent in Inglewood demands meticulous attention to both local and state law. Landlords must:
- Confirm just cause and non-exemption,
- Properly serve a compliant 3-day notice,
- File all required documentation with the City, and
- Strictly adhere to notice and procedural rules.
Contact the Law Office of Aaron Kohanim today to schedule a consultation. You can call us at (310) 861-7506. If you prefer to send a quick message, visit our Contact Us page.
The response above is not intended as legal advice. This response does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal questions can only be fully answered through consultation with an attorney to whom you give full and accurate details. It is highly recommended that you seek advice from an attorney by setting up a confidential meeting. All who read this answer should not rely on the answer to govern their conduct.