California Tenant Question Library
What Is a Writ of Possession?
Short answer
It's the court document that authorizes the sheriff to carry out a lockout — the step after a judgment for possession.
A writ of possession is a document the court issues, after a judgment for possession, that authorizes the sheriff to remove the tenant and return the property to the landlord.
It's the bridge between the court's decision and the sheriff's action. Even at this point, the landlord still can't perform the lockout — only the sheriff can, and only with the writ.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
- It's the court document that authorizes the sheriff to act.
- It comes after a judgment for possession.
- Only the sheriff — not the landlord — can carry out the lockout.
The Tool for This Stage
Understand the Final Stages
The California Tenant Rapid Defense System helps you understand what happens after a judgment.