How to Serve Notice to a Tenant in California

There are four different methods of service allowed by California state law when you are beginning the eviction process against your tenant. The notice can be served by you, your agent, or anyone over the age of 18. Any of these methods can be used when serving 30 or 60 days' notice. You can't using "posing and mailing" when serving three days' notice, however.

Option 1: Personal service

Personal service is when the notice is handed to your tenant directly at home. If you cannot serve your tenant at home, you must attempt to have them served at work. The notice period begins the day after the notice is served. If attempts to perform personal service fail both at home and at work, you may try substituted service.

Option 2: Substituted service

Substituted service is when the person serving notice leaves it with a person at your tenant’s home or work. The person must be of suitable age, typically an adult or teenager. To be performed correctly, the notice must also be mailed to your tenant's address by certified mail with return receipt requested after being served to someone at their home or workplace. The notice period begins the day after the notice was mailed.

Option 3: Posting and mailing

Posting and mailing can be used when both personal and substituted service attempts are not successful. In this case, you can serve notice by attaching it to the front door of the rental unit and mailing a copy to your tenant's address by certified mail with return receipt requested. The notice period begins the day after the notice was posted and mailed.

Option 4: Mailing

Mailing notice can only be used if you are ending a month to month tenancy with thirty or sixty days notice. In this case, you do not need to physically hand your tenant the copy or post it anywhere in the unit. You can simply send the notice to your tenant by certified mail with return receipt requested.

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