You don’t always need to hire a lawyer, but you do need reliable information, particularly if your property is under rent control. Your step-by-step guide to evicting a problem tenant in California Sooner or later, nearly every residential landlord has to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent, property damage, an illegal sublet, or another violation of the lease or the law. Here, you’ll find all of the downloadable forms you need along with clear, step-by-step instructions on how to: prepare nonpayment of rent notices prepare 3-, 30-, 60-, and 90-day notices complete and serve all required eviction forms deal with tenants’ delaying tactics, and file your “unlawful detainer” complaint in court. Just filing an eviction lawsuit often prompts the tenant to leave.