Get Legal Help

The information on this page provides general information about a tenant’s rights in San Diego County. It is not intended to be legal advice. Tenants should consult a housing expert or attorney about their individual situation.

Get Help Here
Self-help Clinics

Received an Eviction Notice?

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Landlord harassing you?

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Illegal rent increase?

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Security Deposits?

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Discrimination Issues?

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Informational Guide

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Self-Help Clinics

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Section 8 Questions?

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Need Online Resources?

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Small-Claims Clinic

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Where To Get Legal Help

Find the right organization to assist you with your legal issue below.

Received a 3 Day Eviction Notice?
  • Legal Aid Society of San Diego: 1-877-LEGAL AID (1-877-534-2524) or www.lassd.org
  • For households with disabilities – Disability Rights California www.disabilityrightsca.org
  • California Rural Legal Assistance: 760-966-0511 or crla.org
Received a 30/60/90 Day Eviction Notice?
Need Tenant Organizing -Need help with a landlord who is evicting or harassing a lot of tenants?
Need help with an illegal rent increase?
Need help with Security Deposits, Habitability, and Reasonable Accommodations?
Small Claims Clinic-For filing lawsuits to stop harassment, dispute security deposit, have landlord fix problems, etc.
  • Thomas Jefferson School of Law Small Claims Court Clinic: For questions call (619) 961-4371.
  • The Community Law Project of California Western Law School – www.cwclp.org
Section 8 (or any subsidized housing)
Tenant Online Resources-Links to information about tenant rights
Received eviction lawsuit paperwork (Summons and Complaint?) – courthouse clinics for general assistance filing paperwork.
  • Central Courthouse: 330 W. Broadway Room 251 San Diego, CA 92101 M-F 8:30am-3:30pm
  • Vista Courthouse: Main Building, South Entrance 325 S. Melrose Drive Vista, CA 92081 M-F 8:30am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-5:00pm
  • Legal Aid Society of San Diego (1-877-LEGAL AID (1-877-534-2524) or lassd.org)
  • University of San Diego Legal Clinic (619) 260-7470 or www.sandiego.edu/law/clinics
Discrimination
Undocumented Tenants
  • University of San Diego Legal Clinic (619) 260-7470 or www.sandiego.edu/law/clinics
  • San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Eviction Notice Clinic (619) 235-5656 ext 127;  www.sdvlp.org/landlord-tenant
  • Legal Aid Society of San Diego (1-877-LEGAL AID (1-877-534-2524) or www.lassd.org Certain undocumented tenants may be eligible for legal services at LASSD. Please contact Legal Aid to confirm eligibility.
  • For households with disabilities – Disability Rights California www.disabilityrightsca.org

Self-Help Clinics

Legal Aid Society of San Diego’s Eviction Defense Clinic

  • What: The clinic staff will help you prepare an answer to an Unlawful Detainer (Eviction) lawsuit, or help you ask the court for more time to move if you have a notice to vacate from the Sheriff.
  • When: Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
  • Where: Hall of Justice
    330 W. Broadway, 2nd floor, Room 251
    San Diego, CA 92101
  • More information

The Community Law Project (CLP) of California Western Law School

  • CLP offers in person services at regular weekly free clinics in City Heights and downtown San Diego, and monthly free clinics in Solana Beach. CLP services include legal assessment and information, advice and counsel, brief services and appropriate referrals.
  • For specific information on locations and hours

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.’s Unlawful Detainer Clinic

  • This clinic provides eviction defense assistance.
  • When: Mon & Fri: 9:00 am – 12 pm; 1 pm – 4 pm
  • Where: California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., 640 Civic Center Drive, Suite 108 Vista, CA 92084
  • For more information call (760) 966-0511

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program

  • Walk-In Clinics provide information to litigants in residential eviction (unlawful detainer) cases.
  • When: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30-1:30
  • Where: Vista Courthouse
    Main Building, South Entrance
    325 South Melrose Drive
    Vista, CA 92081
  • Remote Eviction Notice Legal Clinic provides 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.
  • When: Thursday mornings 9:30 am
  • Where: On-line meeting
  • To apply for this clinic: Call (619) 235-5656 x127
    Or Apply Online at:
  • Apply for Remote Legal Clinic
  • More information

Disability Rights California’s Housing Stability Project

  • Phone-based self-help clinic providing legal advice for Californians with disabilities on their housing law issues.
  • When: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (Closed Wed) 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Where: Phone only – (800) 776-5746
  • For more information