Summary proceedings for obtaining possession of real property: procedural requirements.

Assembly Member Nguyen's proposal to modify California's unlawful detainer procedures would limit courts' ability to extend hearing dates for motions to strike or demur, allowing such extensions only in residential tenancy cases where good cause is shown.

Under current law, courts may schedule hearings on these motions between 5 and 7 court days after filing, with discretion to set later dates upon demonstration of good cause in any unlawful detainer action. The proposed amendment maintains this standard timeline but restricts the court's authority to grant extensions beyond the 7-day window exclusively to residential tenancy matters. For all other unlawful detainer cases, courts must adhere to the 5-to-7-day scheduling requirement.

The measure preserves existing procedures for filing and serving legal documents, including provisions for both oral and written oppositions. Written oppositions must be filed and served by the court day preceding the hearing through authorized methods such as personal delivery, electronic service, or express mail. Courts retain discretion to consider late-filed written oppositions at their choosing.