Appellant and Mercedes Dominguez were in possession of premises at 30 Hawthorne Avenue (front house) in Watsonville in Santa Cruz County. Real parties in interest Dean and Jeanell Montero (landlords) owned the property. The tenancy was month-to-month and the rent was $700 per month. On August 16, 1990, landlords brought a complaint in unlawful detainer against both appellant and Dominguez, alleging nonpayment of $100 of the monthly rent. Landlords alleged that they had served a three-day notice to pay rent or quit on August 10, 1990.