Full-service unlawful detainer for California landlords — from the first notice to "don't let the door hit you." I also help tenants stuck in unlivable rentals (habitability), take injury cases personally, and litigate real estate, construction, and business disputes. For everything else, I hand-pick who you need.
You bought a building, not a roommate. When a tenant stops paying and won't budge, hand me the file — I run the whole eviction so you never have to learn what a "proof of service" is.
Flat fee or hourly. Not contingency.
See the full eviction process →Mold, sewage, leaks, pests, no heat — if your rental is unlivable and the landlord keeps kicking the can, I help tenants evaluate the problem and the next move. Separate lane from landlord evictions; I conflict-screen every lead.
No attorney's fee unless I win your case.*
See tenant habitability →Someone else's bad day shouldn't turn into your medical bill. Hit, slipped, or bitten? You focus on healing — I'll go get what you're owed.
No attorney's fee unless I win your case.*
See how injury cases work →A deal, a job site, or a property turned into a fight? I litigate real estate, construction, and business disputes. Something outside my lanes? Start with me anyway and I'll hand you to an attorney who lives and breathes it.
Billed hourly. Not contingency.
See civil litigation →How I charge depends on the case: contingency for habitability and injury, flat fee or hourly for evictions, hourly for civil litigation. See fees, in plain English →
Courts move at court speed, so I won't promise you a date. What I will promise is the truth about what to expect — no fairy tales.
When the other side has a team of lawyers and you've just got a problem, you want someone who shows up ready to fight — and actually picks up when you call. That's the whole job.
Get me on your side
Big firms bounce you from intake rep to paralegal to whichever associate drew the short straw. Hard pass.
Tyler Vance is a California civil litigator in Irvine handling lawful landlord evictions, tenant habitability matters, and injury claims — separate lanes, conflict-screened. Your case stays with him — and the number you call rings his pocket, not a front desk.
Straight answers, real availability, and a plan in plain English. If it's not his kind of case, he'll point you to someone sharp and stay in the loop.
Plain-English explanations of issues I see often, for tenants, landlords, and people who have been hurt. General information, not legal advice.
Document it, ask in writing, request an inspection, and avoid common mistakes.
The three kinds of 3-day notice, counting the days, content, and service.
Your own source of recovery when the other driver has little or no insurance.
A direct, no-pressure conversation with me about what happened, what your options are, and roughly what to expect — timeline, cost, and next steps in plain English.
It depends on the case. Tenant habitability and personal injury cases are contingency: no attorney's fee unless I win your case.* Evictions (unlawful detainer) are flat fee or hourly. Real estate, construction, and business litigation is hourly. The terms go in a written fee agreement before I start. See the fees page.
Yes. I'm based in Irvine but handle landlord and injury matters throughout California, and can often appear or coordinate remotely.
Notices and filings can often go out within days of you calling — the timeline after that depends on the court, not me.
You still start with me. I'll refer you to a vetted attorney who handles that exact type of case, and I stay looped in so you're never explaining your situation from scratch.
Yes — warranty of habitability matters are for tenants only (mold, sewage, leaks, pests, no heat, unrepaired hazards). Evictions are landlords only. I won't represent slumlord landlords, and every lead gets a conflict screen by property address and party names before we talk strategy.
Tell me what happened. I'll get back to you personally — usually same day, occasionally before you've finished your coffee.
You bought a building, not a roommate. When a tenant stops paying rent and won't leave, I run the entire eviction — notice, filing, hearing, and the writ that gets the sheriff involved — so you never have to learn court procedure yourself.
Eviction cases are flat fee or hourly, not contingency. How fees work
A 3-day, 30-day, or 60-day notice — whichever fits your lease and the reason for termination — drafted and served correctly. This is where DIY landlords trip and hand the tenant a free do-over.
If the notice period lapses, I file the unlawful detainer complaint and get the tenant properly served. The paperwork headache is mine, not yours.
The tenant answers, demurs, or does nothing. Either way I've already got the next filing ready — a default judgment motion or a plan for a contested case.
If it goes to trial, I show up and argue it — evidence, witnesses, and all. You keep your day job and let me handle the courtroom.
Once judgment enters, I request the writ of possession and coordinate with the sheriff, so the actual move-out isn't something you have to enforce yourself.
Courts move at court speed, so I won't promise you a date. What I will promise is the truth about what to expect — no fairy tales.
The most common case — notice, filing, and judgment for unpaid rent.
Unauthorized occupants, pets, or damage — documented and addressed correctly.
Lease ended and they're still there. I get the right notice moving on day one.
Whether the tenant fights it in court or never responds, both paths are covered.
Depends on the reason — typically 3 days for nonpayment or lease violation, 30 or 60 days for no-fault terminations, depending on tenancy length and local rules.
If they don't respond in time, I move for a default judgment — often the fastest path to getting your property back.
No — self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities) are illegal in California and can expose you to real liability. Everything has to go through the court.
Evictions are not contingency. I charge a flat fee or bill hourly, depending on the case, for example whether it's uncontested or headed to trial. I'll tell you which applies and what it covers on our first call, and it goes in a written fee agreement before I start. See fees.
Send me the notice, the lease, and what's going on. I'll tell you exactly what happens next.
Mold. Sewage. Leaks. Pests. No heat. If your rental is unlivable and the landlord keeps kicking the can, I help tenants evaluate the problem and the next move — directly, clearly, and without the big-firm runaround.
Two lanes. One clear rule. Lawful evictions for landlords. Habitability for tenants. Those lanes do not overlap — I won't represent slumlord landlords. We conflict-check every lead by property address and party names before we talk strategy.
Photos · Written repair ask · Landlord/PM name · (562) 644-4186
Call (562) 644-4186No attorney's fee unless I win your case.*
If several of these sound familiar, document the problem and ask what comes next — not keep waiting for "next week."
This is general information, not a diagnosis of your legal rights.
The more you document, the clearer the consult. Bring what you have — missing pieces are fine.
Lease, addenda, and any written repair requests you already sent.
Dated photos or video of the conditions — mold, leaks, pests, hazards.
Texts, emails, portal tickets, or silence from the landlord or PM.
Landlord, owner entity, property manager — needed for the conflict screen.
Lease, dated photos or video, repair requests, landlord or PM responses, any inspection or code documents, and the names of the landlord, owner, and property manager. Missing pieces are fine — bring what you have.
We may already represent a landlord, property manager, owner, or property in your matter. We check conflicts by property address and party names before we talk strategy — including whether the building has firm eviction history.
Yes — lawful evictions for landlords, habitability for tenants. Separate lanes. I will not represent slumlord landlords. If there's a conflict or the matter isn't a fit, I'll say so promptly.
Habitability cases are contingency-fee: no attorney's fee unless I win your case.* My fee is a percentage of the recovery, set out in a written agreement after the conflict screen. See fees.
One office in Irvine. Tenant matters handled statewide by phone, email, and video. Local notes on inspections and rent rules:
We run the conflict screen first, then tell you whether we can help. Call or send the form — no strategy until conflicts are cleared.
Hit, slipped, or bitten — an injury that wasn't your fault shouldn't turn into your medical bill. You focus on healing. I'll deal with the insurance company and go get what you're owed.
No attorney's fee unless I win your case.*
Fault disputes, insurance lowballing, and injuries that show up days later.
Unsafe premises — wet floors, broken stairs, poor lighting — documented properly.
California holds owners strictly liable in most cases — I know how to prove it.
If someone else's carelessness hurt you, it's worth a conversation — no cost to find out.
*In contingency-fee injury cases, you may still be responsible for case costs regardless of outcome.
Nothing upfront. Injury cases are contingency-fee — I only get paid if you win, taken as a percentage of the recovery. See fees.
Straightforward claims can resolve in a few months; contested or trial-bound cases take longer. I'll give you a realistic estimate after reviewing the facts.
Don't sign anything yet. Early offers are almost always lower than what the claim is actually worth — let me review it first, at no cost.
Most injury cases settle without a trial, but I prepare every case as if it's going to court so you're never negotiating from weakness.
Tell me what happened. I'll get back to you personally — usually same day.
When a property, a project, or a deal turns into a fight, I handle the litigation myself: demand letters and negotiation, filing or defending the lawsuit, discovery, motions, mediation, and trial if it comes to that. You deal with me directly, not a rotating team.
Civil litigation is billed hourly, not contingency. How fees work
Disputes over purchase and sale agreements, property rights, co-owners, and commercial or residential leases.
Payment disputes, defective or unfinished work, and contract fights between owners, contractors, and subcontractors, including mechanics liens.
Breach of contract, unpaid invoices, partner and co-owner disputes, and disagreements with vendors or customers.
I check conflicts by party names first, then read the contract, the paper trail, and the deadlines.
Many disputes resolve with a clear demand letter and a real conversation before anyone files.
If it doesn't settle, I file or defend the case and handle pleadings, discovery, and motions.
Settlement, mediation, or trial. I'll give you a straight read on the options at each stage.
Every case depends on its own facts. No outcome is guaranteed.
By the hour. Real estate, construction, and business disputes are not contingency cases. The hourly rates and any advance deposit are set out in a written fee agreement before I start. See fees.
The contract or agreement, invoices or payment records, key emails and texts, any demand letters or court papers, and the names of every person and company involved so I can run the conflict check.
Call me right away. In California you usually have 30 days after service to respond to a civil complaint, and missing that deadline can lead to a default.
Start with me anyway. If it's outside my practice, I'll refer you to an attorney who handles it. Any fee division with another attorney is made only with your written consent and never increases your total fee.
Send the basics: who is involved, what the agreement said, and what went wrong. I conflict-check every inquiry by party names, then let you know whether I can help.
There are three ways I charge, and the type of case decides which one applies. Before I start any work, the fee terms go in a written agreement you can read and ask about.
No attorney's fee unless I win your case.*
My fee is a percentage of what I recover for you, by settlement or judgment. If there's no recovery, you owe no attorney's fee. The percentage is in the written agreement. It isn't set by law, and it's negotiable.
Flat fee or hourly. Not contingency.
Landlord eviction cases are charged as a flat fee or billed by the hour, depending on the case, for example whether it's uncontested or headed to trial. I'll tell you which applies and what it covers before you hire me.
Billed hourly.
Real estate, construction, and business disputes are billed by the hour. The hourly rates and any advance deposit are set out in the written agreement before work starts.
*In contingency-fee cases (tenant habitability and personal injury), you may still be responsible for case costs regardless of outcome.
The first conversation about your matter is free. I'll tell you which fee type applies before you decide anything.
Attorney's fees pay for my work. Costs are separate out-of-pocket expenses, like court filing fees, service of process, and record or expert fees.
Your fee agreement spells out the fee type, the rate or percentage, and how costs are handled, before I start.
If your case is outside my practice, I'll refer you. Any fee division with another attorney is made only with your written consent and never increases your total fee.
No. Only tenant habitability and personal injury cases are contingency. Evictions are flat fee or hourly, and real estate, construction, and business litigation is hourly.
In habitability and injury cases, my fee comes out of the recovery. If there's no recovery, you don't owe an attorney's fee. You may still be responsible for case costs, as your agreement explains.
No. Eviction (unlawful detainer) cases are a flat fee or hourly, depending on the case. I'll tell you which before you hire me.
The right fee depends on the case, so I quote it after the conflict check and a look at the facts, and then put it in writing.
Tell me what kind of case you have. After the conflict check, I'll tell you which fee type applies and what to expect.
Better Call Vance, PC · California
Photos · Written repair ask · Landlord/PM name
Bring these before the consult — call (562) 644-4186. Soft leads without docs get nurture, not a booked habitability consult.
Use the questionnaire that matches your lane. Evictions are for landlords (flat fee or hourly). Habitability is for tenants (contingency: no attorney's fee unless I win your case*). Injury is contingency evaluation. Every submission is conflict-screened by property and party names.
Warranty of habitability — tenants only. Not landlord defense.
Thanks — I will review for conflicts and follow up. Urgent? Call (562) 644-4186.
Residential unlawful detainer — landlords / owners / authorized agents.
Thanks — I will review for conflicts and follow up. Urgent? Call (562) 644-4186.
Tell me what happened so I can evaluate the claim.
Thanks — I will review for conflicts and follow up. Urgent? Call (562) 644-4186.
Prefer a short note first? Use Contact or call (562) 644-4186.
Ayudo a inquilinos en California cuando el dueño no hace las reparaciones que la ley exige. Solo represento a inquilinos en estos casos, nunca al dueño. Cada caso pasa primero por una revisión de conflictos (dirección de la propiedad y nombres de las partes).
Si prefiere comunicarse en español, envíe su solicitud por escrito, con todos los detalles, a tyler@bettercallvance.com para que se pueda coordinar un intérprete.
Sin estos tres documentos todavía no podemos agendar una consulta de habitabilidad, pero sí le decimos qué reunir.
Gracias. Reviso conflictos y le respondo. ¿Es urgente? Llame al (562) 644-4186.
Explicaciones sencillas sobre problemas de reparaciones que veo con frecuencia en California. Son información general, no asesoría legal.
Fotos, pedidos de reparación por escrito y un registro sencillo que sirve como prueba.
Documente el problema, pida la reparación por escrito, solicite una inspección y evite errores comunes.
Cómo el Código Civil 1942.5 limita las represalias después de una queja por reparaciones.
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Have photos? Text them to (562) 644-4186 now.
Text photos(562) 644-4186
Photos · Written repair ask · Landlord/PM name
Document it, ask in writing, request an inspection, and avoid common mistakes.
Your duties at the scene, reports, insurance, and filing deadlines.
Photos, written repair requests, and a simple log that holds up.
How Civil Code 1942.5 limits retaliation after a repair complaint.
From filing to the writ of possession, step by step.
The three kinds of 3-day notice, counting the days, content, and service.
What to share, what to hold back, and your rights.
Who pays medical bills first, and who may need to be repaid.
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Enviar fotos por texto(562) 644-4186
Fotos · Pedido de reparación por escrito · Nombre del dueño o administrador
Document it, ask in writing, request an inspection, and avoid common mistakes.
Photos, written repair requests, and a simple log that holds up.
