§7.03 Action to Quiet Title

Possession of real property also may be recovered through a statutory action to quiet title. [See CCP §§760.010 et seq.] This action is often litigated with causes of action for ejectment and damages. [See South Shore Land Co. v Peterson (1964) 226 CA2d 725, 741.]

In this action the plaintiff need not allege legal or equitable title to the property. For example, an action to quiet title may be used to confirm a tenant’s leasehold in the property, to confirm contractual rights to the sporadic use of the property, or to determine whether an access easement exists. [See German-Amer. Sav. Bank v Gollmer (1909) 155 C 683, 686–687; Golden West Baseball Co. v City of Anaheim (1994) 25 CA4th 11, 50; Dieterich Int’l Truck Sales, Inc. v J. S. & J. Services, Inc. (1992) 3 CA4th 1601, 1603.]