How Much Does It Cost a Landlord to Evict a Tenant in California?

The cost for a landlord to evict a tenant in California can vary widely. A simple uncontested eviction may cost only a few hundred dollars in court filing and service fees. A contested eviction with attorney fees, multiple service attempts, trial preparation, local compliance issues, sheriff enforcement, and unpaid rent can cost much more. The direct court filing fee is usually only one part of the total cost.

For the basic court filing fee, the California Courts Self-Help Guide states that a landlord must pay a fee when filing eviction forms and that the fee is usually between $240 and $450, depending on how much money the landlord is asking for in the case. The California Courts Self-Help Guide also explains that the fee is usually $240 to $450 and that the more past-due rent the landlord asks for, the higher the filing fee.

That filing fee is not the full cost of an eviction. A landlord may also pay for serving the tenant with the eviction notice, serving the Summons and Complaint after the case is filed, court e-filing or payment processing charges, local forms, attorney fees, trial preparation, witness costs, sheriff enforcement after judgment, and possible costs connected to storing or handling personal property left behind. The landlord may also lose money from unpaid rent during the process. These practical costs often matter more than the filing fee itself.

A landlord should think about eviction costs in two categories. The first category is out-of-pocket legal costs, such as court fees, service fees, and attorney fees. The second category is business and property costs, such as unpaid rent, lost rental income, repairs, turnover, and delays. A landlord may win the case and still spend more than expected if the tenant contests the eviction, the landlord must correct mistakes, or the landlord has to refile because of a bad notice or early filing.

This article explains the main costs a California landlord may face when evicting a tenant. It covers filing fees, service costs, attorney fees, fee waivers, default cases, contested cases, trial costs, sheriff lockout costs, unpaid rent, relocation assistance, local-law costs, and mistakes that can make an eviction more expensive. It uses official California court and government sources only.

Quick Cost Summary

Here is a practical overview of common eviction cost categories in California:

Cost Category	Typical Issue	What to Know
Court filing fee	Usually $240 to $450	The California Courts Self-Help Guide says the fee is usually $240 to $450 depending on how much money the landlord asks for.
Service of initial notice	Varies	The landlord must properly deliver the eviction notice. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains accepted notice delivery methods.
Service of court papers	Varies	After filing, someone other than the landlord must serve each tenant with the Summons and Complaint, as explained by the California Courts Self-Help Guide.
Attorney fees	Varies widely	Attorney fees depend on the lawyer, case complexity, trial, local law, and whether the lease or law allows recovery.
Fee waiver	May reduce court fees	If the landlord cannot afford court fees, the landlord may ask for a fee waiver through the California Courts fee waiver process.
Default judgment costs	Usually lower than trial	If the tenant does not respond, the landlord may ask for default after the response period expires, as explained by the California Courts default judgment guide.
Trial costs	Higher if contested	If the tenant answers, the landlord may need to request a trial date and prepare evidence, as explained by the California Courts guide for cases where the tenant responds.
Sheriff enforcement	Varies by county	If the landlord wins, the sheriff enforces the writ of possession, as explained by the California Courts after-trial guide.
Lost rent and turnover	Often the largest cost	Unpaid rent, vacancy, repairs, and delay can exceed court costs.

The Main Court Filing Fee

The first court cost is the filing fee. The landlord must pay this fee when filing the unlawful detainer case unless the court grants a fee waiver. The California Courts Self-Help Guide says the filing fee is usually between $240 and $450, depending on how much money the landlord is asking for in the case.

The Judicial Branch of California Civil Fees page links to the current statewide civil fee schedule. The current statewide civil fee schedule effective January 1, 2026, includes different first-paper filing fees for unlawful detainer cases depending on the amount demanded. This is why the filing fee may be lower for a case seeking a smaller amount of rent and higher for a case seeking more money.

For many residential eviction cases, the landlord is mainly asking for possession and may also ask for unpaid rent or damages. The amount of money requested can affect the filing fee. A landlord should review the current statewide fee schedule and the local court’s fee page before filing. The statewide schedule gives the legal fee categories, while local court pages may explain local payment methods and filing procedures.

The filing fee is paid when the landlord files the case. The main forms usually include the Summons—Unlawful Detainer—Eviction, form SUM-130; the Complaint—Unlawful Detainer, form UD-100; and the Civil Case Cover Sheet, form CM-010. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that these forms are used to start an eviction case and that some courts require extra local forms.

A landlord should not assume the fee is the same in every situation. The court’s filing fee may depend on the amount demanded, whether the case is limited or unlimited civil, and current fee schedules. If the landlord asks for more money, the filing fee may increase. If the landlord later amends the case or files additional motions, there may be additional fees.

Why the Filing Fee Is Usually $240 to $450

The California Courts give the practical range as $240 to $450. That range reflects the fee categories for filing the first paper in an unlawful detainer case. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that the filing fee is usually $240 to $450 and that the more past-due rent the landlord asks for, the higher the filing fee.

This is important for landlords deciding what to request in the Complaint. If the landlord asks only for possession and a smaller amount of rent, the filing fee may be lower. If the landlord asks for a larger amount of rent or damages, the filing fee may be higher. The landlord should not inflate the claim. The amount requested should be accurate and supported by records.

If the case is based on unpaid rent, the landlord should carefully review the rent ledger. A 3-day notice to pay rent or quit must demand only rent. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that a 3-day rent notice cannot include other money such as late fees, interest, utilities, or damages. If the landlord includes improper amounts in the notice, the tenant may have a defense. That mistake can make the eviction more expensive because the landlord may have to start over.

The landlord should separate rent from other charges. Late fees, utilities, repair costs, and damages may be real disputes, but they may not belong in a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit. The landlord should confirm what can be demanded in the notice and what can be requested later in the case or in a separate claim.

Fee Waivers for Landlords Who Cannot Afford Court Fees

Some landlords may not be able to afford the court filing fee. California courts allow eligible people to ask for a fee waiver. The California Courts fee waiver guide explains that a fee waiver lets a person file papers for free and may cover some other court costs. A person may qualify if they receive public benefits, have income below a set amount, or cannot pay court fees and still meet basic needs.

The official fee waiver request form is Judicial Council form FW-001, Request to Waive Court Fees. The California Courts form page explains that FW-001 asks the court to let a person file papers and receive services without paying court fees and costs because the person receives public benefits, is low income, or does not have enough income to pay basic needs and court fees.

A landlord should understand that a fee waiver is not automatic. The court reviews the request. If the court grants it, the landlord may avoid paying some court costs at the start of the case. If the court denies it, the landlord may need to pay the filing fee for the case to move forward. If the landlord’s financial situation changes, there may be additional requirements.

Fee waivers can reduce court costs, but they do not eliminate all eviction-related costs. The landlord may still face lost rent, repair costs, service costs not covered by the waiver, attorney fees, or sheriff enforcement costs depending on what the waiver covers and what services are needed.

Cost of Preparing and Serving the Initial Eviction Notice

Before filing an unlawful detainer case, the landlord usually must serve a written eviction notice. This may cost little if the landlord prepares and serves the notice personally, but it may cost more if the landlord hires a process server, property manager, or attorney to prepare and serve it.

The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that the landlord must usually give the tenant written notice before starting an eviction case. The notice tells the tenant what the issue is and what deadline applies. The California Courts notice delivery page explains that someone at least 18 years old must deliver the notice and that the notice can be delivered by hand, left with another adult and mailed, or posted and mailed.

If the landlord handles the notice without paying anyone, the direct cost may be small. The landlord may pay only printing, postage, and travel costs. But the risk is higher if the landlord does not understand notice requirements. A defective notice can make the eviction much more expensive because the landlord may have to serve a new notice and wait again.

If the landlord hires a process server, cost varies by provider, location, urgency, number of attempts, and whether mailing is required. If the landlord hires an attorney, the cost may include time to review the lease, select the correct notice, draft the notice, arrange service, and advise on compliance with state and local rules.

The initial notice is one of the cheapest steps to do correctly and one of the most expensive steps to do incorrectly. A wrong notice can waste days or weeks. A notice served incorrectly can lead to dismissal. A notice that violates the Tenant Protection Act or local law can create tenant defenses.

Cost of Serving the Summons and Complaint

After the landlord files the unlawful detainer case, the landlord must serve the tenant with the Summons and Complaint. This is separate from serving the first eviction notice. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that after filing eviction forms, the landlord must have someone else serve the Summons and Complaint on each tenant. The landlord cannot serve these court papers personally.

This service cost depends on who serves the papers and how difficult service is. A friend or adult who is not part of the case may serve for free, but a professional process server may charge a fee. If the tenant is hard to find, avoids service, or must be served at multiple locations, costs can increase.

Personal service is usually the first method. If personal service does not work, substituted service may be possible after proper attempts. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that the server usually must try personal service at least 2 or 3 times on different days and times when the tenant is likely to be home or at work before using substituted service. Each attempt should be documented.

Posting and mailing court papers is different from posting and mailing the first notice. For court papers, the landlord needs the judge’s permission. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that if the judge allows service by posting and mailing, the server posts the papers where the tenant will clearly see them and mails another copy by certified mail. This extra step can add cost and time.

The server must complete proof of service, usually Judicial Council form POS-010. If the proof of service is wrong or missing, the landlord may not be able to move forward. That can add delay and cost.

Attorney Fees

Attorney fees are often the largest optional legal cost in an eviction. Some landlords file and manage the case themselves. Others hire an attorney to prepare notices, file the case, serve papers, handle tenant responses, attend trial, and manage post-judgment steps.

The amount of attorney fees varies widely. It depends on the attorney, county, case complexity, number of tenants, whether the tenant responds, whether trial is required, whether local rent control applies, whether the case involves habitability defenses, whether the landlord needs emergency advice, and whether there are settlement negotiations.

California Courts provide self-help information, but they also suggest legal help when needed. The California Courts eviction forms page says that if someone is not sure which forms they need, they can ask the court’s self-help center or talk to a lawyer. The State Bar of California provides public legal help information through its official Need Legal Help page.

Attorney fees may be worth considering when the case is contested, the tenant has a lawyer, local rent control applies, the property is owned by an entity, the notice involves no-fault just cause, the landlord needs to prove nuisance or waste, or the landlord has already made a procedural mistake. A simple mistake can force a landlord to restart the case, which may cost more than getting legal advice early.

Whether the landlord can recover attorney fees from the tenant depends on the lease, statutes, the court’s decision, and the facts. A landlord should not assume that all attorney fees will be reimbursed. Even if the landlord wins, collecting money from the tenant may be difficult.

Costs if the Tenant Does Not Respond

If the tenant does not respond to the Summons and Complaint by the deadline, the landlord may ask for default judgment. A default case usually costs less than a contested case because there may be no trial. But the landlord still must complete the required paperwork correctly.

The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that once the tenant’s time to file an Answer runs out, the landlord can ask for default judgment. The response deadline depends on how the tenant was served. If the tenant was personally served, the tenant generally has 10 court days to file an Answer. If the tenant was served by substituted service or posting and mailing, the tenant has more time.

Costs in a default case may include the original filing fee, service fees, default paperwork, possible attorney fees, and post-judgment sheriff enforcement. Even if the tenant does not respond, the landlord still must follow each step. The court may reject default papers if service was defective, forms are incomplete, or the landlord requests relief not supported by the Complaint.

A default case can become more expensive if the tenant later asks the court to set aside the default or judgment. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that in rare situations, a tenant who lost an eviction case may ask the judge to cancel or set aside the judgment. If that happens, the landlord may need to respond and the case may take longer.

Costs if the Tenant Responds

If the tenant files an Answer, the case usually becomes more expensive. The landlord may need to request a trial date, prepare evidence, attend court, respond to defenses, negotiate settlement, and possibly handle discovery or motions. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that if the tenant files an Answer, the landlord must request a trial date using Judicial Council form UD-150.

A contested case can increase costs because the landlord must prove the case. The landlord may need to organize the lease, notice, proof of service, rent ledger, photos, videos, witnesses, communications, inspection reports, local-law compliance documents, and Tenant Protection Act documents. If the tenant raises habitability, retaliation, discrimination, local ordinance, or payment defenses, the landlord may need more evidence and legal analysis.

The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that tenants may raise defenses in an eviction case. Those defenses may include problems with the notice, Tenant Protection Act issues, local rent or eviction control laws, payment disputes, repair issues, and other legal grounds. Each defense can add time and cost for the landlord.

Trial also creates practical costs. The landlord may need to take time off work, pay a property manager or witness, prepare exhibits, arrange interpreters if needed, and possibly pay attorney fees. If the landlord is unprepared, the case may be continued, dismissed, or lost.

Cost of Trial Preparation

Trial preparation is often overlooked. Even if there is no separate court fee for preparing evidence, preparation takes time and sometimes money. The landlord may need to copy documents, print photos, organize exhibits, subpoena witnesses, prepare timelines, review records, and attend hearings.

The California Courts Self-Help Guide tells tenants to bring evidence and be ready to explain their side at trial. Landlords should do the same. The landlord should be ready to prove the notice, service, deadline, noncompliance, rent due, lease violation, just cause, and legal right to possession.

Evidence may include:

• The lease or rental agreement.
• The eviction notice.
• Proof of service of the notice.
• Rent ledger and payment records.
• Photos and videos.
• Inspection reports.
• Repair records.
• Messages with the tenant.
• Witness statements.
• Local-law compliance documents.
• Relocation assistance or rent-waiver proof.
• Tenant Protection Act compliance documents.

Trial preparation becomes more expensive when the landlord lacks records. For example, if rent payments were tracked informally, the landlord may spend time reconstructing the ledger. If the landlord did not keep proof of service, the landlord may need the server to testify. If the notice was vague, the landlord may face more challenges proving the case.

Cost of Sheriff Enforcement After Judgment

If the landlord wins the eviction case, the landlord still may need sheriff enforcement if the tenant does not leave voluntarily. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that if the landlord wins, the judge gives the landlord a Writ of Possession, which tells the sheriff to evict the tenant. The sheriff posts a Notice to Vacate, giving the tenant a few days to move out.

The California Courts after-trial guide explains that if the landlord wins and the tenant does not leave, the landlord will need to take steps to have the sheriff remove the tenant. If the tenant does not move by the sheriff’s deadline, the sheriff returns, removes the tenant, and locks the tenant out.

Sheriff enforcement fees vary by county and service. A landlord should check the sheriff’s civil division in the county where the property is located for current fees and instructions. The landlord may need to pay for the writ process, sheriff lockout, and related civil enforcement services. There may also be costs for locksmith services if required at the time of lockout.

The landlord should not change the locks before the sheriff lawfully completes the process. The California Courts Self-Help Guide warns that the landlord cannot lock a tenant out, shut off utilities, or throw out belongings to make the tenant leave. Using the sheriff process is not optional if the tenant remains after judgment.

Cost of Lost Rent During the Eviction

Lost rent is often the largest eviction cost. A landlord may pay $240 to $450 to file the case, but unpaid rent may be thousands of dollars by the time the case ends. The amount depends on monthly rent, how long the notice period lasts, how quickly the landlord files, how quickly the tenant is served, whether the tenant responds, whether the case goes to trial, and whether the tenant moves out voluntarily.

For example, if rent is $2,500 per month and the eviction takes two months from notice to possession, the unpaid rent alone may be $5,000, not including filing fees, service fees, attorney fees, repairs, or vacancy. If the tenant contests the case or the landlord has to restart because of a defective notice, lost rent can grow quickly.

The landlord may ask for unpaid rent or damages in the unlawful detainer case depending on the notice, Complaint, and facts. But getting a money judgment does not mean the landlord will collect the money quickly or at all. Collection can be difficult if the tenant has limited income or assets.

This is why landlords should focus on avoiding procedural mistakes. A defective notice, improper service, or early filing can add weeks. Each delay can add lost rent.

Cost of Repairs and Turnover

After the tenant moves out, the landlord may face repair and turnover costs. These may include cleaning, painting, replacing locks, repairing damage, removing abandoned property, advertising the unit, and vacancy time before a new tenant moves in.

Some repair costs may be ordinary turnover costs. Others may be damages caused by the tenant. If the landlord claims major damage or waste as part of the eviction, the landlord should have evidence such as photos, videos, inspection reports, contractor estimates, and move-in condition records. California unlawful detainer law includes serious grounds such as waste in California Code of Civil Procedure section 1161.

The landlord should separate eviction costs from security deposit accounting. Security deposit rules are separate from unlawful detainer filing costs. The landlord should follow California security deposit law when itemizing deductions and returning any remaining deposit. If the landlord mishandles the deposit, a separate dispute may arise.

Relocation Assistance and Rent Waiver Costs

Some evictions cost more because relocation assistance or a rent waiver is required. California’s Tenant Protection Act may require relocation assistance or a last month’s rent waiver for certain no-fault terminations. The law is found in California Civil Code section 1946.2.

The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that if the Tenant Protection Act applies and the tenant has lived in the home more than 1 year, a 30-day or 60-day notice must include the just cause, whether it is at-fault or no-fault, and whether relocation assistance or a last month’s rent waiver is required.

No-fault reasons may include owner move-in, withdrawal from the rental market, compliance with a government order, or qualifying substantial remodel if legal requirements are met. These cases may cost more because the landlord may need to pay relocation assistance, waive rent, provide detailed notice language, obtain permits, or comply with local rules.

Local city or county law may require more relocation assistance than state law. A landlord should check local tenant protection ordinances before serving a no-fault notice. Failure to comply can create defenses and make the eviction more expensive.

Local Ordinance and Rent Control Costs

Local laws can significantly affect the cost of eviction. Some California cities and counties have rent control, just-cause eviction ordinances, relocation requirements, tenant anti-harassment rules, registration fees, or notice-filing requirements. The California Courts Self-Help Guide warns landlords to check local rules because some cities have stronger tenant protections.

Local-law costs may include:

• Relocation assistance.
• Local registration fees.
• Notice filing fees or administrative requirements.
• Attorney review for local compliance.
• Delay if local requirements were missed.
• Dismissal and refiling if the notice was defective under local law.
• Extra documentation for owner move-in or substantial remodel.

A landlord should not rely only on statewide information if the property is in a city with local protections. A notice that is valid under statewide law may still fail under local law. Tenants should also check local rules because local protections may create defenses or relocation rights.

Cost of Mistakes

The most expensive eviction cost is often the cost of mistakes. A landlord who serves the wrong notice, includes the wrong rent amount, fails to mail after posting, files too early, ignores local law, or serves court papers incorrectly may have to start over. Starting over means more time, more unpaid rent, more service costs, and possibly more attorney fees.

The California Courts Self-Help Guide warns that filing too early can cause dismissal. That one mistake can add weeks. A defective rent notice can also cause delay. The California Courts Self-Help Guide says a 3-day rent notice cannot include other money such as late fees, interest, utilities, or damages. Including improper charges may lead to a tenant defense.

Another costly mistake is serving the Summons and Complaint incorrectly. The landlord cannot serve the court papers personally. The California Courts Self-Help Guide says the landlord must have someone else serve every tenant. If service is defective, the case may stall.

A landlord can reduce costs by preparing carefully before filing. The best way to make an eviction less expensive is often to avoid procedural errors.

Can the Landlord Recover Costs From the Tenant?

A landlord may ask the court for certain costs in the unlawful detainer case, but recovery depends on the facts, the lease, the law, and the court’s judgment. Court costs may be recoverable in some cases. Attorney fees may depend on the rental agreement and applicable law. A money judgment does not guarantee collection.

The California Courts tenant notice page explains that if a tenant does not do what the notice says by the deadline, the landlord can ask a judge to order the tenant to move out and may ask for money. This means an unlawful detainer case can include both possession and money issues, but the landlord must properly request and prove them.

If the tenant moves out before trial, the landlord may need to dismiss the eviction case. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that if the tenant moves out before trial, the landlord must dismiss the eviction case, and if the tenant still owes money, the landlord may be able to start a small claims or civil case to try to recover it.

Landlords should be realistic. Even if a landlord receives a money judgment, collecting may require more time and cost. The tenant may not have wages, bank accounts, or assets that are easy to collect. A landlord should evaluate whether pursuing money is worth the additional expense.

Fee Differences by Case Amount

The amount the landlord asks for can affect the filing fee. The California Courts explain that the filing fee is usually $240 to $450 and that the more past-due rent the landlord asks for, the higher the fee. The Judicial Branch Civil Fees page provides the current statewide civil fee schedule, including unlawful detainer first-paper fees.

In practical terms, a case seeking a smaller amount usually has a lower filing fee than a case seeking a larger amount. If the landlord asks for more than the limited civil threshold, fees and procedures may differ. Most residential eviction cases are filed as limited civil unlawful detainer cases, but the exact category depends on the amount demanded and the case facts.

The landlord should not choose the amount based only on filing fees. The landlord should request what is accurate, lawful, and supported by documents. Overstating the amount can create problems. Understating the amount may affect what the landlord can recover in the case. A landlord should review the rent ledger and legal claims carefully before filing.

Costs if the Tenant Raises Defenses

A tenant can raise defenses in an eviction case. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains that tenants may have defenses based on notice problems, Tenant Protection Act issues, local rent or eviction control laws, rent payment, repair problems, and other facts. If the tenant raises defenses, the case may require more time and preparation.

Common defenses that can increase landlord costs include:

• The notice was wrong.
• The notice was served incorrectly.
• The landlord filed too early.
• The rent amount was wrong.
• The tenant paid or tried to pay.
• The landlord accepted rent after the notice expired.
• The tenant cured the lease violation.
• The landlord failed to follow the Tenant Protection Act.
• The landlord failed to follow local law.
• The eviction is based on discrimination or retaliation.
• The rental unit had repair or habitability problems.

If the tenant raises these issues, the landlord may need more evidence, witnesses, legal argument, and court time. Attorney fees may increase. A settlement may become more attractive if the case has risk.

Costs if the Case Must Be Dismissed and Refiled

If the landlord discovers a serious error, the landlord may need to dismiss and restart. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains how a landlord dismisses an eviction case and notes that if the tenant moves out before trial, the landlord must dismiss the case. A landlord may also dismiss for other reasons, such as defective notice or settlement.

Refiling can add costs. The landlord may need to serve a new notice, wait through a new notice period, pay another filing fee, pay service fees again, and spend more time without rent. If an attorney is involved, attorney fees may increase.

This is why landlords should review the file before filing. A careful prefiling review can prevent expensive restarts. The landlord should check notice type, notice content, service, deadline, tenant compliance, local law, Tenant Protection Act, rent ledger, and forms.

Costs of Settlement

Some eviction cases settle. Settlement may reduce costs if it avoids trial, default challenges, or sheriff enforcement. A settlement may include a move-out date, payment plan, waiver of some rent, return of keys, agreement about the security deposit, or dismissal terms.

Settlement can cost money if the landlord agrees to waive rent, pay relocation, or give the tenant time. But it can also save money by reducing attorney fees, trial costs, and delay. For example, if a tenant agrees to move out in two weeks and return keys, the landlord may avoid trial and sheriff lockout costs.

Any settlement should be clear and written. The landlord and tenant should understand what happens if the tenant does not follow the agreement. If the case has already been filed, the parties may use court-approved settlement procedures or written agreements. A landlord should be careful before dismissing a case until the settlement terms are satisfied, depending on the agreement.

Costs of Delay

Delay is a hidden cost. A delay can happen because the notice was wrong, the tenant avoided service, the landlord served court papers incorrectly, the court rejected forms, the tenant filed an Answer, trial was scheduled later, or the landlord had to correct paperwork. Each delay can add unpaid rent, vacancy time, attorney fees, and stress.

The landlord can reduce delay by:

• Using the correct notice.
• Serving the notice properly.
• Counting deadlines correctly.
• Checking local rules.
• Preparing all forms before filing.
• Using reliable service for court papers.
• Filing proof of service quickly.
• Preparing for trial early if the tenant responds.

The tenant can also reduce costs and uncertainty by responding quickly, communicating in writing, keeping proof, and using court self-help resources.

Sample Cost Scenarios

Scenario 1: Simple Uncontested Nonpayment Case

The tenant is behind on rent. The landlord serves a proper 3-day notice to pay rent or quit. The tenant does not pay and does not move. The landlord files an unlawful detainer case, pays the filing fee, has someone else serve the Summons and Complaint, and the tenant does not respond. The landlord asks for default and obtains judgment. The sheriff posts a Notice to Vacate and the tenant moves out.

In this scenario, the main costs may be the filing fee, service fee, default paperwork, sheriff fee, and lost rent. If no attorney is used, the direct legal costs may be lower. If a lawyer is used, attorney fees add to the total.

Scenario 2: Tenant Responds and Raises Defenses

The landlord files after a notice expires. The tenant files an Answer and says the notice included late fees, the landlord refused rent, and the unit had repair problems. The landlord must request a trial date, prepare evidence, attend court, and respond to the tenant’s defenses.

This scenario costs more because it requires trial preparation and possibly attorney involvement. If the landlord’s notice was defective, the landlord may lose or need to restart.

Scenario 3: No-Fault Termination With Relocation

The landlord wants to terminate a covered tenancy for a no-fault reason, such as owner move-in or substantial remodel. The tenant has lived in the property for more than 1 year. The landlord may need a 60-day notice, just-cause language, relocation assistance or rent waiver, and local-law compliance documents.

This scenario may cost more because the landlord may need relocation assistance, legal review, permits or documentation, and careful compliance with state and local law.

Scenario 4: Defective Notice and Refiling

The landlord serves a 3-day rent notice that includes late fees and utility charges. The tenant does not pay. The landlord files the eviction case. The tenant responds and argues the notice is defective. The landlord realizes the notice demanded improper amounts.

This scenario can become expensive because the landlord may need to dismiss, serve a corrected notice, wait again, and refile. The landlord may pay additional fees and lose more rent during the delay.

Practical Budget Checklist for Landlords

Before starting an eviction, a landlord should budget for more than the filing fee. A practical budget should include:

• Court filing fee, usually $240 to $450.
• Cost to prepare the eviction notice.
• Cost to serve the eviction notice.
• Postage for notice service if required.
• Cost to serve the Summons and Complaint on each tenant.
• Cost of additional service attempts if the tenant avoids service.
• Attorney fees, if using a lawyer.
• E-filing or payment processing charges, if applicable.
• Default paperwork cost, if the tenant does not respond.
• Trial preparation cost, if the tenant responds.
• Sheriff enforcement fees after judgment.
• Locksmith cost if needed after sheriff lockout.
• Unpaid rent during the process.
• Repair, cleaning, and turnover costs.
• Relocation assistance or rent waiver if required.
• Costs of delay if the case must be restarted.

Practical Ways to Reduce Eviction Costs

The best way to reduce eviction costs is to avoid mistakes. A landlord should use the right notice, serve it correctly, count time correctly, check state and local law, and prepare the filing package carefully. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains the required forms and reminds landlords to check local forms.

Landlords can also reduce costs by keeping good records from the beginning of the tenancy. A clear lease, accurate rent ledger, written communications, move-in photos, repair records, and proof of notices make eviction cases easier to prove. Poor records make cases more expensive.

Communication may also reduce costs. Sometimes a written payment plan, move-out agreement, or settlement can avoid a contested case. But landlords should be careful not to waive rights accidentally or make unclear agreements. Written agreements are better than verbal understandings.

Landlords should also check whether the case is worth pursuing for money. If the tenant has no ability to pay, spending extra money to chase a money judgment may not be practical. In some cases, recovering possession quickly and lawfully may be the main goal.

Tenant Costs in an Eviction

Although this article focuses on landlord costs, tenants also face costs. A tenant may lose housing, owe rent or court costs, miss work for court, pay moving expenses, and face difficulty finding future housing. The California Courts page for people not on the lease warns that if someone asks to be added to an eviction case and loses, the eviction can stay in the court record for up to 7 years and may hurt credit. That information appears on the California Courts page for people not on the lease.

Tenants who receive eviction papers should respond quickly. The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains how tenants respond to an eviction case. A tenant who does not respond may lose by default.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the basic court filing fee for a California eviction?

The California Courts Self-Help Guide says the filing fee is usually between $240 and $450, depending on how much money the landlord asks for in the case.

Why does the filing fee vary?

The fee varies because the amount demanded in the case affects the filing fee. The more past-due rent or money the landlord asks for, the higher the fee may be. The Judicial Branch Civil Fees page links to the current statewide civil fee schedule.

Can a landlord get a fee waiver?

Yes, if the landlord qualifies. The California Courts fee waiver guide explains that a person may qualify if they receive public benefits, have income below a set amount, or cannot pay court fees and still meet basic needs. The request form is FW-001.

Does the filing fee include service of papers?

No. Filing fees and service costs are usually separate. After filing, the landlord must have someone else serve the Summons and Complaint on each tenant. The landlord cannot serve those court papers personally.

Does the filing fee include sheriff lockout?

No. Sheriff enforcement after judgment is a separate step and may involve separate county sheriff fees. If the landlord wins and the tenant does not move, the landlord must use the sheriff process.

Is an uncontested eviction cheaper?

Usually yes. If the tenant does not respond, the landlord may ask for default judgment. A default case generally costs less than a contested case because there may be no trial. But the landlord still must file correct paperwork and prove proper service.

Is a contested eviction more expensive?

Usually yes. If the tenant files an Answer, the landlord may need to request a trial date, prepare evidence, attend court, and respond to defenses. Attorney fees and lost rent may increase.

Can a landlord recover attorney fees?

Sometimes, but not always. Recovery depends on the lease, law, court judgment, and facts. Even if the landlord wins a money judgment, collecting from the tenant may be difficult.

What is the biggest eviction cost?

Often, the biggest cost is not the filing fee. It is unpaid rent, lost time, attorney fees, repairs, turnover, and delay. A procedural mistake can add weeks and increase the total cost significantly.

What mistake makes eviction most expensive?

Filing on a defective notice or filing too early can be very expensive. The court may dismiss the case, forcing the landlord to restart. The California Courts warn that filing before the notice deadline can cause dismissal.

Bottom Line

A California landlord should expect the court filing fee for an eviction case to usually be between $240 and $450, depending on how much money the landlord asks for. That amount comes from the California Courts Self-Help Guide. But the filing fee is only one part of the total cost.

The total cost may also include notice preparation, notice service, service of the Summons and Complaint, process server fees, attorney fees, default paperwork, trial preparation, sheriff enforcement, locksmith costs, unpaid rent, repairs, turnover, vacancy, relocation assistance, local-law compliance, and the cost of delay. A simple uncontested case may be relatively inexpensive. A contested case or defective-notice case may cost much more.

For landlords, the best way to control eviction costs is to prepare carefully before filing. Use the correct notice, serve it correctly, count the deadline correctly, check the Tenant Protection Act and local law, file the right forms, serve the court papers properly, and keep strong records. For tenants, understanding the costs and deadlines can help them respond quickly, raise defenses if appropriate, and avoid default.

Official California Sources

• California Courts Self-Help Guide: File the eviction forms
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Fill out forms to start an eviction case
• Judicial Branch of California: Civil Fees
• Judicial Branch of California: Statewide Civil Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Fee waivers
• Judicial Council Form FW-001: Request to Waive Court Fees
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Eviction cases in California
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: The eviction process for landlords
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Give your tenant notice
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Types of eviction notices for landlords
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Deliver the notice
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Serve the Summons and Complaint forms
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Serve eviction papers by substituted service
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Serve eviction papers by posting and mailing
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Ask for a default judgment
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: What happens if your tenant files a response
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: After the eviction trial decision
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: How to dismiss an eviction case
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Respond to an eviction case
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Defenses in an eviction case
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: What to expect at an eviction trial
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Ask for a set aside after an eviction judgment
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: If you’re not on the lease or rental agreement
• Judicial Council Form UD-100: Complaint—Unlawful Detainer
• Judicial Council Form UD-150: Request to Set Case for Trial—Unlawful Detainer
• Judicial Council Form POS-010: Proof of Service of Summons
• State Bar of California: Need Legal Help
• California Code of Civil Procedure section 1161
• California Civil Code section 1946.2