UD-105 is the Answer—Unlawful Detainer, an optional form published by the Judicial Council of California for a defendant who is answering an eviction complaint. On it you deny statements of the complaint, check the defenses and objections that apply, add other statements and tell the court what you request. On this page you can fill out the UD-105 form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official form (Rev. January 1, 2026) is published at courts.ca.gov.
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What is UD-105?
Answer—Unlawful Detainer (UD-105) is the Judicial Council of California form on which a defendant responds to an unlawful detainer complaint, denying statements, raising defenses and objections, adding other statements and listing what the defendant requests from the court.
The form is printed as an "Optional Form" and cites Civ. Code, § 1940 et seq. and Code Civ. Proc., §§ 425.12, 1161 et seq. and 1179.01 et seq. It responds to a complaint on form UD-100 or another complaint for unlawful detainer.
It has seven numbered items:
- Item 1: the defendant or defendants answering.
- Item 2: a general denial or specific denials.
- Item 3: defenses and objections, 3a to 3s, with supporting facts in 3t.
- Item 4: other statements, including the date the defendant vacated and whether the fair rental value is excessive.
- Item 5: what the defendant requests.
- Item 6: pages attached.
- Item 7: the unlawful detainer assistant disclosure.
The form ends with signature lines and a verification signed under penalty of perjury. When more room is needed, the form uses form MC-025 as a titled attachment. The agency's self-help page offers a Spanish version of UD-105.
Who needs to file UD-105?
The main group is a defendant in an unlawful detainer (eviction) case who wants to answer the complaint. The agency's self-help page describes the form as the way a tenant tells the court and the landlord their responses to the complaint and what they want to ask for.
- Every defendant for whom the answer is filed must be named in item 1 and must sign it, unless their attorney signs.
- A defendant who is a party without an attorney completes the header with their own name and contact details; an attorney fills in the attorney block.
- The verification at the end is for a defendant. The form says to use a different verification form if the verification is by an attorney or for a corporation or partnership.
- Item 7 must be completed in all cases, whether or not an unlawful detainer assistant helped.
Some defenses are limited by their wording. Items 3a to 3d apply to nonpayment of rent only, and the general denial in item 2a cannot be used when the complaint demands more than $1,000. The form is optional, so it is one way to answer, not the only one.
When to file UD-105
Use UD-105 when you are a defendant who needs to respond to a complaint for unlawful detainer, on form UD-100 or another complaint. The form prints no filing deadline of its own, so check the papers served with the complaint and the court handling your case for the time limit.
Some entries depend on dates. Item 3c asks for the date before the notice to pay or quit expired when you offered the rent. Item 3p covers payments applied before October 1, 2025, in a tenancy that existed between March 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021. Item 4a asks for the date you vacated the premises, if you did.
Documents you need
- Form MC-025, titled as the correct attachment (for example Attachment 2b(1), 2b(2), 3t, 4b, 4c or 5e), when you need more room than the form gives for denials, facts, statements or requests.
- Facts for each defense checked in item 3: stated in item 3t or on form MC-025 as Attachment 3t.
- For defense 3k (domestic violence and similar acts), one of these, which may be included with the form: a temporary restraining order, protective order or police report not more than 180 days old; a signed statement from a qualified third party; or other documentation verifying the abuse or violence.
- A different verification form, if the verification is made by an attorney or for a corporation or partnership, instead of the verification printed on UD-105.
How to fill out UD-105
Complete the attorney or party block
At the top, enter the name, address, telephone, email and, for an attorney, the State Bar number, firm name and the party the attorney represents. Leave the FOR COURT USE ONLY space blank.
Enter the court and case caption
Write the county of the Superior Court of California, its street and mailing addresses, city and ZIP code and branch name. Then enter the PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT and CASE NUMBER.
Name the defendants in item 1
In item 1, name every defendant for whom the answer is filed. Each one must sign unless their attorney signs.
Choose your denials in item 2
Check only one box. Check 2a, General Denial, only if the complaint does not demand more than $1,000; otherwise check 2b and complete (1) false statements and (2) statements you have no information about, or use form MC-025.
Check defenses 3a through 3h
Check each defense that applies, such as habitability, repairs deducted from rent, rent offered, waiver of the notice to quit, retaliation or discrimination. For 3h, give the city or county, ordinance title and date of passage.
Check the Tenant Protection Act and other defenses
Use 3i (check all that apply under (1) to (5)), 3j, 3k, 3l, 3m, 3n, 3o, 3p, 3q and 3r where they fit. Check 3s for other defenses and objections.
State your facts in item 3t
Give brief facts for each box checked in item 3, or put them on form MC-025 titled Attachment 3t.
Add other statements in item 4
Enter the date you vacated the premises in 4a, check 4b if the fair rental value alleged is excessive and explain it, and use 4c for any other statements.
Select your requests in item 5
Check the requests that apply: 5a plaintiff takes nothing, 5b costs, 5c reasonable attorney fees, 5d repairs and reduced rent, and 5e other requests.
Count the attached pages in item 6
Enter the number of pages attached, including each form MC-025 page you added.
Complete the assistant disclosure in item 7
Check whether an unlawful detainer assistant did or did not give advice or help with this form for compensation. If one did, enter lines a to f: name, telephone, address, county of registration, registration number and expiration date.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Type or print each defendant's name and sign at the signature lines, then sign and date the verification. Check every item, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and attach any MC-025 pages.
How to submit UD-105
UD-105 does not list a filing channel, address or fee. It is completed for the case shown in its caption: the Superior Court of California, County of ___ (with the court's street address, mailing address and branch name), the plaintiff and defendant names and the case number.
- Before you send it: every defendant answering signs at the signature lines unless an attorney signs, and signs the verification.
- Attachments: include any form MC-025 pages you used, each titled as the form says (for example Attachment 3t), and enter the number of pages in item 6. Documents supporting item 3k may be included with the form.
- Where to file: follow the filing instructions of the court named in your case. The agency's self-help page links to how-to instructions and eviction form packets at https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/UD-105.
- Privacy: the form asks you to press the Clear button after printing.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the court's channels, not this site.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Checking both boxes in item 2; the form says to check only one of the denial boxes.
- Checking the general denial in item 2a when the complaint demands more than $1,000; item 2b with specific denials applies then.
- Checking a defense in item 3 without stating brief supporting facts in item 3t or on form MC-025.
- Checking items 3a to 3d when the case is not about nonpayment of rent; those defenses apply to nonpayment of rent only.
- Leaving item 7 blank; it must be completed in all cases, including when no assistant helped.
- Omitting a defendant from item 1 or having a named defendant not sign; each answering defendant must be named and must sign unless an attorney signs.
- Using the printed verification when an attorney or a corporation or partnership verifies; a different verification form is required.
- Using item 3k without supporting documentation, such as a protective order or police report not more than 180 days old.
- Adding MC-025 pages without entering the number of attached pages in item 6.
Frequently asked questions
What is form UD-105?
UD-105 is the Answer—Unlawful Detainer, an optional Judicial Council of California form for a defendant answering an eviction complaint on form UD-100 or another unlawful detainer complaint. It covers denials, defenses and objections, other statements and the defendant's requests.
What is the difference between a general denial and specific denials on UD-105?
A general denial (item 2a) denies each statement of the complaint and cannot be used if the complaint demands more than $1,000. Specific denials (item 2b) admit everything except the statements you list as false or that you have no information about.
Do I have to explain each defense I check on UD-105?
Yes. For each box checked in item 3, the form says you must state brief facts to support it in item 3t or, if you need more room, on form MC-025 titled Attachment 3t.
Who has to sign UD-105?
Each defendant for whom the answer is filed must be named in item 1 and must sign, unless their attorney signs. A defendant also signs the verification under penalty of perjury; an attorney or a corporation or partnership uses a different verification form.
Can I fill out UD-105 online?
You can fill out the UD-105 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the Judicial Council of California and does not file the answer; it goes to the court through the court's own channels.
What is item 7 on UD-105 for?
Item 7 asks whether an unlawful detainer assistant gave advice or help with the form for compensation. It must be completed in all cases. If one did, you enter the assistant's name, telephone, address, county of registration, registration number and expiration date.
Is there a Spanish version of UD-105?
Yes. The Judicial Council's self-help page for UD-105 offers the form in Spanish as well as English. This page covers the English-language Rev. January 1, 2026 form.
What if I need more room on UD-105?
Use form MC-025, titled with the matching attachment name, such as Attachment 2b(1), 3t, 4b, 4c or 5e, and enter the total number of attached pages in item 6.
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