An "unlawful detainer" refers to someone who originally had lawful possession of real property but unlawfully retains it after the original right is lost; i.e., once the right of possession is lost, the person refuses to give up the property.

An "unlawful detainer action" is a legal procedure by the owner of real property to regain possession of the property from someone who unlawfully controls it. The owner seeks a court order to evict the person from the property.

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