Evicting someone in Los Angeles in 2025–2026 commonly costs $1,000–$8,000+ overall for a typical residential unlawful-detainer (eviction) — lower if the tenant leaves after a notice and higher if the case is contested and goes to trial. Major expense components are attorney fees ($1,000–$6,000+), court filing & clerical fees ($100–$500), service/process-server fees ($75–$250), sheriff lockout fees ($200–$600), plus optional costs like movers, storage, repairs, and lost rent. Costs and timelines vary a lot with the eviction ground (nonpayment vs. no-fault), whether tenant contests, and whether you use a lawyer or DIY. Always confirm current county fees and legal requirements with the Los Angeles Superior Court or a landlord-tenant attorney.
Evicting in Los Angeles costs $1,000–$8,000+. Learn line-item costs (filing, service, attorney, sheriff lockout), timelines, neighborhood factors, and ways to reduce expenses.
Overview — what drives eviction cost
Eviction costs are set by the process more than by neighborhood. Key cost drivers:
• Whether eviction is for nonpayment (fastest) or no-fault/other (may take longer).
• Contested vs. uncontested — if tenant responds, costs and time increase.
• Use of an attorney vs. self-representation.
• Third-party services required: process server, sheriff lockout, movers, storage, repairs, cleanup.
• Lost rent and vacancy/turnover expenses.
Typical cost breakdown (approximate ranges)
• Pre-eviction / notices — preparing and serving a 3-day pay/quit or 30/60-day notice: $0–$200 (self-serve or professional service).
• Process server / certified mail — $75–$250 (service attempts, posting, certified return receipt).
• Court filing fee (Unlawful Detainer) — $100–$500 (varies with county, case type, and papers filed).
• Attorney fees — $1,000–$6,000+ for straightforward uncontested cases; $5,000–$20,000+ for contested/high-asset or complex habitability/counterclaim matters. Some lawyers bill hourly ($200–$500/hr); others offer flat fees for standard unlawful-detainer cases.
• Mediation / settlement conference — $200–$1,000 (if using private mediator; courts sometimes refer cases to free programs).
• Sheriff lockout / writ of possession execution — $200–$600 (Los Angeles County fees plus any required deputy time; price depends on number of deputies and logistics).
• Removal, hauling, storage — $300–$3,000 depending on volume and whether you hire movers and store items.
• Change locks, repairs, cleaning, turnaround — $200–$3,000 depending on condition.
• Lost rent / vacancy — variable; budget for at least 2–6 weeks of lost rent plus advertising/agent fees to re-rent.
Total realistic examples:
• Uncontested nonpayment (tenant pays or leaves after notice): $150–$900 (process server + filing + minimal admin).
• Standard unlawful detainer with attorney, no major contest: $1,500–$5,000.
• Contested eviction with hearings, motions, sheriff lockout, and tenant defenses: $6,000–$20,000+.
Typical timeline (how time affects cost)
• Notice period: 3-day (pay/quit) or 30/60-day (termination) depending on grounds — this is statutory and unavoidable.
• Filing to trial: If tenant files a response, expect 3–8 weeks to first hearing; continuances can extend time.
• Judgment to lockout: If plaintiff wins, obtaining a writ of possession and scheduling sheriff lockout typically adds 1–3 weeks.
• Entire contested case: 2–6 months (longer if appeals or complex motions).
Longer timelines increase attorney time, lost rent, and occupancy costs.
Neighborhood / area factors in Los Angeles
• Court & process costs are set by the county — Los Angeles County fees apply; they don’t vary by neighborhood.
• Service & locksmith / mover fees vary by neighborhood — premium or high-traffic areas (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica) can yield slightly higher hourly labor and parking/permit costs.
• Housing market tightness affects vacancy loss: in high-demand neighborhoods you may re-rent faster; in weaker rental markets vacancy costs rise.
• Local programs: Some neighborhoods have stronger tenant-assistance programs or eviction-prevention clinics; these can lengthen disputes and potentially increase costs.
Step-by-step (with likely costs at each step)
- Attempt resolution / issue written notice — free to $150 if lawyer drafts. Try payment plan/settlement to avoid filing.
- Serve notice properly — process server or certified mail: $75–$250. Improper service delays case.
- File unlawful-detainer complaint — court filing + civil case cover: $100–$500.
- Serve summons & complaint — another service fee.
- Tenant answer or default — if default, you may request entry of judgment and writ (faster, cheaper). If answer, case proceeds to hearings.
- Court hearing / trial — attorney costs escalate here.
- Judgment & writ of possession — sheriff execution fee $200–$600; schedule lockout.
- Removal & turnover — movers, storage, repairs, re-rent costs.
Ways to reduce eviction cost & risk
• Document everything: rent records, notices, communications, and habitability repair requests. Proper documentation improves likelihood of default judgment and reduces contested litigation.
• Offer incentives to move (cash for keys): often cheaper than full UD litigation — e.g., one month’s rent vs. several thousand in legal fees.
• Use certified process servers for fast, accurate service to avoid technical delays.
• Consider mediation or limited-scope attorney help for pleadings (cheaper than full representation).
• Screen tenants well to reduce eviction likelihood.
• Use free/low-cost court self-help resources and landlord clinics cautiously — only for simple uncontested matters.
• Budget for lost rent and repairs up front so you’re not surprised.
Legal & practical cautions
• Eviction law is complex and changes frequently—especially tenant protections, moratoria, or local ordinances. Relying solely on general guidance can be risky.
• Illegal eviction (self-help lockout, removing personal property without court order) can expose you to criminal and civil liability and large statutory damages. Never attempt lockout without a proper writ of possession executed by the sheriff.
• Landlord-tenant disputes sometimes trigger counterclaims (habitability, discrimination, illegal lockout), which increase costs dramatically.
Summary table
| Cost Item | Typical Range (Los Angeles) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notice service | $0–$200 | Self-serve or professional service |
| Process server / certified mail | $75–$250 | Per attempt |
| Court filing & civil fees | $100–$500 | County-set; may change |
| Attorney (uncontested) | $1,000–$3,500 | Flat fee options exist |
| Attorney (contested) | $5,000–$20,000+ | Hourly billing for trials |
| Sheriff lockout / writ exec | $200–$600 | Scheduling fee + deputy time |
| Movers / storage / cleanup | $300–$3,000 | Depends on volume & needs |
| Repairs & re-rent costs | $200–$5,000+ | Paint, locks, cleaning, vacancy |
FAQ
Q: Can I evict a tenant myself to save money?
A: No. Self-help evictions (changing locks, removing possessions) are illegal in California and can lead to costly penalties. Use the court process.
Q: How long from notice to sheriff lockout?
A: If uncontested, roughly 4–8 weeks; if contested, often several months.
Q: Will mediation stop an eviction?
A: It can — mediation/settlement can avoid court costs. Courts may also require early mediation in some districts.
Q: Can I recover my legal costs from the tenant?
A: Sometimes. If lease or statute allows recovery of attorney fees and the court awards them, you may recover part of costs — but awards are not guaranteed.
Q: Where to get up-to-date fees and forms?
A: Check the Los Angeles Superior Court website and consult a local landlord-tenant attorney for current filing fees, required notices, and local ordinance changes.