How we can help
Resources
Local resources to help you navigate the eviction process and find the help you need.
Self-Help Guides
Use these to look up California tenant and landlord laws and processes.
Sample Letters to Landlord
Tenants Together has created an online communication resource to address common tenant concerns. Having a written record is the best way to assert your rights and communicate about your lease, which is a legal contract.
Please note that you should tailor these letters to the facts in your unique situation. These templates are not a substitute for legal advice. If you need help finding legal services, please see our Legal Help page. For additional tenant related sample letters like invalid rental increases, please check out Tenants Together.
3 Day Pay or Quit / Cure or Quit Notice – Use this letter if you are a tenant who was issued a 3-day Pay, Cure, or Quit notice, and you want to document that you have complied with the notice.
3 Day Eviction Notice Dispute – Use this letter if you are a tenant who was issued a 3-day for cause eviction notice and you dispute the underlying facts of the eviction.
Invalid Eviction Notice – Not Served with Proper Notice Time – Use this letter if you are a tenant who was issued a written no-fault eviction with the incorrect notice period (read #3 instruction and click here to check laws in your city)
Invalid Eviction Notice – Ledger – Use this letter if you are a tenant who received a 3-day notice that is invalid because the rent ledger (record of rent payments) lists an incorrect amount of rent due.
Invalid Eviction Notice – By Phone or Verbally – Use this letter if you are a tenant who was issued a verbal eviction/lease termination.
Invalid Eviction Notice – By Text, Email, or other Electronic Message – Use this letter if you are a tenant who was issued an eviction/lease termination by an electronic form of communication (text, email, or other electronic message).
Eviction Reason Invalid – Property Sale – Use this letter if you are a tenant who was issued an invalid written no-fault eviction due to property sale.
Eviction Reason Invalid – Remodel/ Substantial Repairs – Use this letter if you are a tenant who was issued a written no-fault eviction for substantial repairs to the unit.
Landlord No Fault Eviction Invalid – Relocation Assistance in 15 Days – Use this letter if you are a tenant who was issued a no-fault eviction notice and you did not receive relocation assistance within 15 days of receiving notice. (Please note #4 instruction)
Notice of Intent to Vacate and Request a Pre-Move Out Inspection – Use this letter to give your notice of intent to vacate and to schedule a pre- move-out inspection with the landlord.
Improper Lock Out – Use this letter if you are a tenant who has been locked out of your home or have been threatened with being locked out.
Improper Entry – Use this letter if you are a tenant who has had a landlord improperly enter your home.
Verification of Tenancy for Tenants without Written Lease Agreements – Use this letter if you are a tenant who entered into a verbal agreement for an apartment with your landlord and need documentation to apply for rental assistance funds.
Breaking a Lease due to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Human Trafficking, Elder Abuse, or Dependent Adult Abuse – Use this letter if you are a tenant who must break your lease due to these forms of violence or abuse.
Request a Copy of Lease – Use this letter if you have lost or do not have a written copy of your lease.
Videos
Use these to see what an actual eviction hearing looks and sounds like, so you can come prepared.
CA Courts - Unlawful Detainers
This is a four-part video series on resolving Unlawful Detainer (eviction) cases, in multiple languages.
Eviction Defense Network
This series of videos will prepare you to get the most help and information from EDN’s resources, in English and Spanish.
For city and county related housing assistance, please call
Legal Services
Free or low-cost legal help for tenant-landlord concerns, unlawful detainer, discrimination, and more.
Landlord/Tenant Counseling
Use these to learn more about rights and responsibilities, as well as local training and advice.
(800) 446-FAIR (3247)
Fair Housing Foundation counsels tenants, landlords, and housing providers on their rights and responsibilities which includes resolving housing inquiries related to evictions, legal support, and appropriate referrals. Call if you have any questions related to notices, rent increases, security deposit, lease agreements, or evictions.
The Fair Housing Council of Orange County provides services such as fair housing enforcement and education, landlord/tenant counseling, mediation and homebuyer HUD counseling which includes first-time homebuyer education and mortgage default counseling. These services are available to low-to-moderate income clients free-of-charge and to others for a moderate donation. Services are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
FHCOC Jurisdictions Served
Cities:
- Anaheim
- Brea
- Cypress
- Dana Point (includes Capistrano Beach)
- Fountain Valley
- Laguna Beach
- Laguna Hills
- Laguna Niguel
- Laguna Woods
- Lake Forest (includes Foothill Ranch)
- La Palma
- Los Alamitos
- Placentia
- Rancho Santa Margarita (includes Dove Canyon and Robinson Ranch)
- San Juan Capistrano
- Santa Ana
- Seal Beach
- Stanton
- Villa Park
- Yorba Linda
Unincorporated Areas (all including those below):
- Anaheim Island
- Coto De Caza (includes Wagon Wheel Canyon)
- El Modena
- Emerald Bay
- Ladera Ranch
- Las Flores
- Midway City
- Modjeska Canyon
- North Tustin (includes Cowan Heights, East Tustin, Lemon Heights, Panorama Heights, and Red Hill)
- Orange Park Acres
- Rancho Mission Viejo
- Rossmoor
- Santiago Canyon
- Silverado Canyon
- Trabuco Canyon
- Williams Canyon
NeighborWorks OC has HUD-Certified Housing Counselors who can assist you with identifying available resources to determine rent affordability and sustainability. Counselors can help you understand monthly budgeting, good rental practices, and learn about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
- Determine how much rent you can afford
- Find out if you are eligible for housing assistance or other local resource
- Develop a household budget and monthly expenses
- Estimate monthly expenses and develop an action plan
- Identify the documents you will need and what to expect in a lease
- Education and best practices for homeownership
- Understand your rights and responsibilities as a renter
Latino Health Access partners with communities to bring health, equity, and sustainable change. We host tenants rights trainings and engage residents in community advocacy.
- Housing is Health – English
- Housing is Health – Spanish
- Renter Counseling – English
- Renter Counseling – Spanish
OC Community Housing Corp provides a wide variety of services and assistance to help counsel tenants, assist first-time homebuyers, and bring new affordable housing units onto the market.
Court Forms & Documents
Use these forms to help you file with the court or to understand the legal documents you may receive.
Eviction Counter Request to Set Trial
Verification by Landlord Regarding Rental Assistance
- Note: If you are receiving government aid (Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWorks, etc), you only need to fill out the top section of the Request to Waive Court Fees form (FM-001).
- Check the box #5a asking why you are filling the form out and mark the government aid you are receiving, and sign at the bottom of the form to have it processed.
- You will receive an Order on Court Fees Waiver (FW-003) telling you if your request was granted (approved) or denied.
- The Order will explain how to proceed. Act quickly – you only have 10 days from the date the Order is mailed to you to comply with the Order or exercise your options if your request was denied.
- Failure to act may result in the cancellation of any documents that you submitted.
CA Rental Protections Quiz & Rent Calculator
OC Eviction Diversion Collaborative
Funding Partners
City Partners
Organizational Partners
