Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Re: I am moving on Sat

If you do not file, the real damage could be felt later on your credit report. You will find it very hard to rent anything without a co-signer.

Thus, even if you deny everything, it is better to file an answer. You are correct in the time, by the way, and have until the close of courts, usually 4 or 5 P.M., on Tuesday to answer.

You are correct, also, that it would take another five days with the Sheriff's service.

I still would file the answer for reasons of your credit history.

Please e-mail, or call, my office if you need more help.

Good luck!

Re: I am moving on Sat

If you don't answer within 5 days, the landlord will ask the court to enter a default judgment. Realistically, that might take a week or more to do, depending on how busy the court is. Then the sheriff will schedle an eviction a few days later. Unfortunately, this unlawful detainer will be reported on your tenancy record (yes, there is a registry of such things), and it might make it more difficult to find a new place, especially with an extra dog.