Avalon Hollywood, L.P. v. Benjamin Huddleston

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL MINUTES —- GENERAL Case No. 2:25-cv-02957-CAS-MAAx Date April 15, 2025 Title Avalon Hollywood, L.P. v. Benjamin Huddleston Present: The Honorable CHRISTINA A. SNYDER Catherine Jeang Not Present N/A Deputy Clerk Court Reporter / Recorder Tape No. Attorneys Present for Plaintiffs: Attorneys Present for Defendants: Not Present Not Present Proceedings: (In Chambers:) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE: SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION On December 27, 2024, plaintiff Avalon Hollywood, L.P. (“plaintiff”) filed this unlawful detainer action against defendant Benjamin Huddleston (“defendant”) in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Dkt. 1 at 5. Defendant removed the case to this Court on April 4, 2025. Id. at 1. Defendant concurrently filed a request to proceed in forma pauperis. Dkt. 2. Defendant asserts that this Court has jurisdiction on the basis of diversity of citizenship, stating: “[p]|laintiff does not reside in this state and damages as a result of an unfair eviction will exceed amounts” required by 28 U.S.C. § 1332. Dkt. 1 at 2.

It appears that this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this action. The law is clear that “[u|nlawful detainer actions are strictly within the province of state court.”

Federal Nat’] Mort. Assoc. v. Suarez, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82300, *6 (E.D. Cal. Jul.

27, 2011); Deutsche Bank Nat’] Trust Co. v. Leonardo, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 83854, *2 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 1, 2011) (“[T]he complaint only asserts a claim for unlawful detainer, a cause of action that is purely a matter of state law.”).

Here, the only claim asserted by plaintiff is for unlawful detainer against defendant. See dkt. 1 at 5. Accordingly, defendant is hereby ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE, in writing, on or before April 30, 2025, why this case should not be remanded to Los Angeles County Superior Court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

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