You have only 5 business days from being served with a UD summons to file a written answer. Miss it and your landlord gets a default judgment without a hearing. Form UD-105 is free at courts.ca.gov and lists every available defense in checkbox format.
The Strongest Affirmative Defenses
Notice Defects
Any procedural defect in the 3-day notice is a complete defense. Case dismissed and re-filed.
Any procedural defect in the 3-day notice is a complete defense. Case dismissed and re-filed.
Habitability
Substantial defects your landlord knew about and failed to repair = defense to nonpayment eviction.
Substantial defects your landlord knew about and failed to repair = defense to nonpayment eviction.
Retaliation
Eviction within 180 days of a protected activity = retaliation presumed. Complete defense.
Eviction within 180 days of a protected activity = retaliation presumed. Complete defense.
Rent Control Violation
Nonpayment of an illegal rent increase = you don’t owe the excess. Legal rent controls.
Nonpayment of an illegal rent increase = you don’t owe the excess. Legal rent controls.
Section 6 walks through Form UD-105 step by step with the Claude AI prompt for your specific defenses.
Get the Kit — $47 →Educational use only. Not legal advice. Justice Foundation.
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