Evictions (Unlawful Detainers)

For Tenants and Landlords

• See Help for Landlords and Tenants in Santa Clara County from the Court's Self-Help Center

   

  Email your eviction questions: Complete the form to submit your questions about either starting an eviction case or getting help with an eviction case here. We will try to respond to emails within 3 business days, however it may sometimes take longer. If you have been served with a notice or an unlawful detainer lawsuit please immediately contact an attorney, a legal services agency, or the Court’s Self Help Center for help. Do not submit questions through this website in this situation. Effective 1/1/2025, you have 10 days to respond; for cases filed prior to 1/1/2025, you only have 5 days to respond.

• Refer to free and low-cost legal resources listed on this website
• Santa Clara County Bar Association
• State Landlord/Tenant Self-Help
• Self-Help videos on UD and mediation
• See our Answer an Unlawful Detainer Workshop video
• Self-Help Eviction Forms and Instructions

Mediation:

Mediation may help tenants and landlords work out an agreement. The Court currently works with Project Sentinel and the Judicial Council of California's Access to Justice Commission to provide free mediation services to landlords and tenants. For more information, see the Court's Self-Help mediation and evaluation page, the Judicial Council's Self-Help page on mediation in eviction cases, or contact Project Sentinel.

Resources for Tenants:

• Asian Law Alliance
• Bay Area Legal Aid (BayLegal) 
• Community Legal Services
• Law Foundation of Silicon Valley:
  • Fair Housing Project
  • Health/Mental Health Program
• Project Sentinel
• Senior Adults Legal Assistance (SALA)

Resources for Landlords:

• California Apartment Association

Please refer to our Disclaimer regarding all external websites linked on this page and elsewhere on our website.