What is a 60 Day Notice To Vacate California?

Basically, a 60 day notice to vacate is simply a notice that a tenant needs to vacate the premises. On the other hand, an eviction is a court order to vacate, usually within a few days (say 3 or 5 days).

What is the difference between a 60-day notice to vacate and an eviction?

A 60 day notice does not necessarily indicate anything "bad" has happened, as it could be that the building has been sold and is about to be demolished or upgraded, and the residents need to be moved out. A 60 day notice is not a court order to vacate, and does not appear on a persons credit report.

An eviction, on the other hand, DOES appear on ones credit report. As it is a court order, the landlord HAS to "show cause." "Show cause" means that it can't be "just because I don't like the tenant." In one case I know of, the landlord accepted a post dated check dated for the due date. The tenant stated that he did not have the money in his account, and would have it on the 1st of the month. However, the landlord attempted to cash the check early, and, not surprisingly, the check was returned "Non Sufficient Funds." He immediately proceeded with eviction proceedings. At court, the respondent stated that he DID have the money on the 1st of the month, and that, although he had told the complainant that he would have it on the first, the complainant was too impatient to wait, and tried to cash it early. The court found for the respondent. The decision was that the respondent was only required to have the money available by the due date, which he showed that he did.

Sources: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-a-60-day-notice-to-vacate-and-an-eviction