New law doubles eviction response time, giving California tenants leeway to fight back

California's new law, effective January 1, extends the time tenants have to respond to eviction notices from five to ten days. This change aims to provide renters with more time to seek legal assistance and prepare their defenses, potentially reducing the number of tenants who lose cases by default. While access to legal services varies across the state, the law also addresses landlord concerns by limiting the time tenant lawyers can take to file motions. The California Apartment Association remained neutral on the law, while some local property owner groups opposed it.