Van Nuys Courthouse East Small Claims - Los Angeles, CA

In Van Nuys, California, the small claims court allows a person to sue another individual, business, or government agency when the plaintiff believes the defendant owes them money. The general rule with small claims courts in California is that you can only sue for up to $10,000, but that amount is only up to $5,000 if you are a business.

How To Contact Van Nuys Small Claims Court

When you want to contact the Van Nuys Small Claims Court, you have multiple options. You can visit the court online at its website or fax the court at (562) 753-0319.

You can also use snail mail to send papers. Send your forms to Van Nuys Courthouse East, not Van Nuys Courthouse West, which does not handle small claims cases.

This address can also be used by people who want to submit paperwork using a dropbox. If you prefer to file your case in person with a clerk, you will need to have an appointment first.

You can call the clerk at (818) 901-4600. The clerk's office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on court holidays.

What You Can Sue For In Van Nuys Small Claims Court

Common kinds of cases filed in Van Nuys Small Claims Court include landlord/tenant disputes over security deposits, landlord/tenant disputes over early terminations of the leases, unpaid rent, roommate disputes, disputes over loans, contracts (both written and oral), auto accidents, disputes over auto repairs, disputes over remodeling or home repairs, property damage claims, and unpaid bills.

A person can be sued in Van Nuys Small Claims Court if they live or lived in:

• Agoura
• Agoura Hills
• Bell Canyon
• Beverly Glen
• Brent Junction
• Calabasas
• Canoga Park
• Cornell
• Encino
• Hiden Hills
• Lakeside Park
• Los Angeles
• North Hills
• Northridge State
• Panorama City
• Point Dume
• Reseda
• Sherman Oaks
• Studio City
• Tarzana
• Thousand Oaks
• Toluca Lake
• Valley Glen
• Valley Nuys
• Warner Center
• West Hills
• West Lake Village.

What Types Of Cases Can Be Filed In Van Nuys Small Claims Court

You are allowed to sue any person in Van Nuys Small Claims Court if that individual lives in Van Nuys or Los Angeles County. You can also sue in Van Nuys Small Claims Court in other situations like

• a car accident
• property damage to a house
• if the defendant lives, lived, or did business within Van Nuys
• an issue with a landlord returning the security deposit when the rented unit was in Beverly Glen, Calabasas, Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, Woodlands Hills, or anywhere in Van Nuys.

How Long It Takes To File In Van Nuys Small Claims Court

You can look up a specific statute of limitations period on the California Legislative Information website. The website includes the California Code of Civil Procedure listing all the statute of limitations periods.

In general, written contracts must be filed within four years of the day the contract was broken. Oral contracts have to be filed within two years of the date the contract was broken.

Property damage claims must be filed within three years of the date of the damage. Personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the injury.

Fraud claims have to be filed within three years of discovering the fraud. Negligence by a health care provider will need to be filed either three years from the date of the injury or one year from the date the error was discovered.

Defamation suits have to be filed within one year of the date that a defamatory statement was published. Suing a government entity will generally require a plaintiff first to file an administrative claim with the government entity, which must be done within six months.

How Much You Can Sue For In Van Nuys Small Claims Court

An individual or sole proprietor can sue for $10,000 or less. A corporation or Limited Liability Company (LLC) can sue for $5,000 or less.

What Do You Have To Pay For In Van Nuys Small Claims Court

A person suing for:

• $1,500 or less has a filing fee of $30
• $1,500 but less than or equal to $5,000 has a filing fee of $50
• $5,000 but less than or equal to $10,000, then your filing fee is $75.

Other fees include filing fees of between $30 and $75, serving costs ranging from $0 to $100, and change of hearing date fees of $10.

What To Expect For Van Nuys Small Claims Court Hearings

Before a hearing, the judge asks the parties to show each other their respective evidence. The judge then asks the plaintiff why they are suing and the defendant then gets to present their side of the story.

The hearing typically lasts about 15 minutes. The judge asks to see the evidence involved.

Judges rarely tell the parties a decision immediately after a hearing. Instead, the parties are usually informed that a decision will be mailed to them.

How To Prepare For Van Nuys Small Claims Court

You can help yourself by researching the law involved in your case and possibly consulting with an attorney (you cannot bring a lawyer to court, however, as attorneys are prohibited in small claims cases). Make sure to prepare all of your relevant evidence.

Prepare yourself by rehearsing what you plan to say. Print three copies of your evidence, one for the judge, one for the other side, and one for yourself.