Housing Law

SDVLP’s housing law programs provide legal services to low-income San Diegans who need assistance with various housing/landlord-tenant issues. Scroll down for information about our programs and eligibility requirements.

Housing Law

SDVLP’s housing law programs provide legal services to low-income San Diegans who need assistance with various housing/landlord-tenant issues. Scroll down for information about our programs and eligibility requirements.

Unlawful Detainer Clinic

The North County Unlawful Detainer Clinic provides legal information to litigants in residential eviction (unlawful detainer) cases. The clinic can also help litigants with Unlawful Detainer court documents. The Walk-In Clinic operates Tuesday through Thursday on a first-come, first-served basis.

ADDRESS
Vista Courthouse
Main Building, South Entrance

325 South Melrose Drive
Vista, CA 92081

Walk-in Clinic:
*New hours effective March 20, 2023*
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
8:30 am – 1:30 pm
(Closed Monday & Friday)

If you need immediate assistance outside of these hours, please note that Legal Aid Society of San Diego operates an Unlawful Detainer walk-in clinic at the downtown courthouse, Hall of Justice (330 W. Broadway, 2nd Fl. Rm 251, San Diego, CA 92101), Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Tenants’ Rights Program – Remote Eviction Notice Legal Clinic

The Tenants’ Rights Program assists low-income tenants with housing legal issues, with a focus on eviction prevention and housing stability.

Currently, the TRP is operating a Remote Eviction Notice Legal Clinic to provide legal advice to low-income San Diego tenants who have received a 30-/60-/90-day eviction notice from their landlord, but who have not yet been sued. The clinic is fully remote and takes place on Thursday mornings at 9:30 am. All applicants must meet SDVLP’s financial guidelines and residency requirements.

Important: if you are not available on Thursday morning to participate in this clinic, please still submit an application; we may be able to review your case outside of clinic hours.

Remote Clinic:
Thursday mornings
9:30 am

To apply for this clinic:  Call (619) 235-5656 x127
Or Apply Online:

Tenants’ Rights Program – Other Legal Services

The Tenants’ Rights Program assists low-income tenants with housing legal issues, with a focus on eviction prevention and housing stability. In addition to the Remote Eviction Notice Legal Clinic, the Tenants’ Rights Program may be able to assist with the following types of cases:

  • Security deposit disputes (your landlord failed to return some/all of your deposit and more than 21 days has passed since you moved out)
  • Unlawful rent increases (evaluate a rent increase notice to see if it complies with the law)
  • Reasonable accommodations (for tenants with disabilities who may need a change in a rule or policy, in order to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the rental)
  • You received a buy-out (AKA “cash for keys”) agreement from your landlord AND you live in the City of San Diego

TRP is currently unable to accept new applications for the legal issues listed above. We apologize for any inconvenience. 

Due to limited resources, TRP cannot provide assistance with Unlawful Detainers (eviction lawsuits).  If you have been sued by your landlord, please see the Unlawful Detainer Clinic column to the left for help.

“I was hours away from losing my home. The volunteers and staff helped me with paperwork that I never in a million years could have prepared in time. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. You literally kept a roof over my head. You folks are heroes.”

UNLAWFUL DETAINER CLIENT

“Really appreciative of the services I received today. It has lifted a lot of stress. I felt like my opinion and concerns were heard, understood, and that’s all I could ask for. Thank you very much.”

UNLAWFUL DETAINER CLIENT

“Amazing to have this level of help. You have taken away so much stress and worry in our lives in just 30 minutes!”

UNLAWFUL DETAINER CLIENT

Unlawful Detainer Clinic

The North County Unlawful Detainer Clinic provides legal information to litigants in residential eviction (unlawful detainer) cases. The clinic can also help litigants with Unlawful Detainer court documents. The Walk-In Clinic operates Tuesday through Thursday on a first-come, first-served basis.

ADDRESS
Vista Courthouse
Main Building, South Entrance

325 South Melrose Drive
Vista, CA 92081

Walk-in Clinic:
*New hours effective March 20, 2023*
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
8:30 am – 1:30 pm
(Closed Monday & Friday)

If you need immediate assistance outside of these hours, please note that Legal Aid Society of San Diego operates an Unlawful Detainer walk-in clinic at the downtown courthouse, Hall of Justice (330 W. Broadway, 2nd Fl. Rm 251, San Diego, CA 92101), Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

 

Tenants’ Rights Program – Remote Eviction Notice Legal Clinic

The Tenants’ Rights Program assists low-income tenants with housing legal issues, with a focus on eviction prevention and housing stability.

Currently, the TRP is operating a Remote Eviction Notice Legal Clinic to provide legal advice to low-income San Diego tenants who have received a 30-/60-/90-day eviction notice from their landlord, but who have not yet been sued. The clinic is fully remote and takes place on Thursday mornings at 9:30 am. All applicants must meet SDVLP’s financial guidelines and residency requirements.

Remote Clinic:
Thursday mornings
9:30 am

To apply for this clinic:  Call (619) 235-5656 x127
Or Apply Online:

Tenants’ Rights Program – Other Legal Services

The Tenants’ Rights Program assists low-income tenants with housing legal issues, with a focus on eviction prevention and housing stability. In addition to the Remote Eviction Notice Legal Clinic, the Tenants’ Rights Program may be able to assist with the following types of cases:

  • Security deposit disputes (your landlord failed to return some/all of your deposit and more than 21 days has passed since you moved out)
  • Unlawful rent increases (evaluate a rent increase notice to see if it complies with the law)
  • Reasonable accommodations (for tenants with disabilities who may need a change in a rule or policy, in order to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the rental)
  • You received a buy-out (AKA “cash for keys”) agreement from your landlord AND you live in the City of San Diego
To apply for assistance, please call (619) 235-5656 x127

Or Apply Online:

“I was hours away from losing my home. The volunteers and staff helped me with paperwork that I never in a million years could have prepared in time. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. You literally kept a roof over my head. You folks are heroes.”

UNLAWFUL DETAINER CLIENT

“Really appreciative of the services I received today. It has lifted a lot of stress. I felt like my opinion and concerns were heard, understood, and that’s all I could ask for. Thank you very much.”

UNLAWFUL DETAINER CLIENT

“Amazing to have this level of help. You have taken away so much stress and worry in our lives in just 30 minutes!”

UNLAWFUL DETAINER CLIENT