What will happen on my first court date?

You will be assigned to a resolution part.

You will be expected to negotiate with a lawyer.
The lawyer that you will speak to is there for your landlord.
You will negotiate a written agreement called a stipulation.

If your landlord has a lawyer and you don’t, you will be at a disadvantage.

conference with the court attorney

Ask the judge or judge’s court attorney for help if you are uncomfortable talking to the landlord’s lawyer alone.
Tell all of the facts about your case, including your defenses and counterclaims.

If you do not state your defenses and counterclaims, they may not be included in the stipulation.