Our Legal Services

Unlawful Detainer Actions

An unlawful detainer is the legal mechanism California landlords use to recover possession of their property. These cases move on an expedited timeline, but they require precise compliance with procedural requirements at every stage.

Attorney Richard Jacobs has handled thousands of unlawful detainer cases and understands every nuance of the process. We manage every step to ensure your case moves forward without costly delays.

• 3-day, 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day notice preparation and service
• Unlawful detainer complaint drafting and filing
• Service of summons and complaint
• Default judgment requests
• Trial preparation and court representation
• Writ of possession and sheriff lockout coordination
• Post-judgment collections

Discuss Your Case

Eviction Proceedings

Whether you are dealing with non-payment of rent, lease violations, holdover tenants, or nuisance behavior, we provide complete eviction representation from start to finish.

Every eviction is unique. We evaluate your specific circumstances to determine the fastest legal path to recovering possession of your property while minimizing your exposure to liability.

• Non-payment of rent evictions
• Lease violation evictions
• Holdover tenant removal
• Nuisance and illegal activity evictions
• No-fault evictions (owner move-in, renovation, withdrawal from market)
• Post-foreclosure evictions
• Squatter and trespasser removal
• Commercial tenant evictions

Start Your Eviction

Lease Disputes & Drafting

A well-drafted lease is your first line of defense as a property owner. Weak or outdated lease agreements leave you vulnerable to tenant disputes, regulatory penalties, and costly litigation.

We draft ironclad lease agreements tailored to your specific properties and help resolve disputes when tenants violate their obligations.

• Residential and commercial lease drafting
• Lease review and compliance audits
• Lease modification and amendment agreements
• Breach of lease enforcement
• Security deposit dispute resolution
• Tenant buyout agreement negotiation
• Subletting and assignment disputes

Get Legal Guidance

Landlord Defense Litigation

When tenants or former tenants file lawsuits against you, the consequences can be severe: significant monetary damages, attorney fee awards, and even punitive damages. You need aggressive defense from an attorney who knows how tenants and their lawyers operate.

Richard Jacobs has successfully defended landlords against a wide range of tenant claims and knows how to dismantle weak cases and negotiate favorable outcomes.

• Habitability and repair claim defense
• Retaliation allegation defense
• Wrongful eviction lawsuit defense
• Discrimination and fair housing claim defense
• Security deposit litigation
• Personal injury and premises liability defense
• Rent overcharge claim defense
• Tenant harassment allegation defense

Protect Your Rights

Rent Control & Regulatory Compliance

Rent control laws are complex, frequently changing, and vary significantly from city to city. Non-compliance can result in penalties, tenant lawsuits, and the inability to carry out evictions. We help you stay compliant and protected.

• Rent control and stabilization ordinance compliance
• Allowable rent increase calculations
• Just cause eviction requirements
• Rent board petition representation
• Capital improvement pass-through applications
• Ellis Act withdrawals
• Costa-Hawkins Act guidance
• AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act) compliance

Compliance Review

Property Owner Advisory Services

The best legal strategy is preventing problems before they start. Our advisory services help landlords and property managers make informed decisions that reduce risk and protect their investments.

• Tenant screening and selection best practices
• Fair housing compliance training
• Property management policy review
• Risk assessment and mitigation strategies
• Regulatory update briefings
• Multi-unit property legal audits
• Insurance coverage review recommendations

Schedule a Review