Stevie Wonder's Eviction Fight Escalates as Woman Demands Repairs

A woman Stevie Wonder is trying to evict from a Los Angeles home where she has lived for nearly four decades is accusing the singer of failing to maintain the property, alleging mold, leaking walls and damaged plumbing while challenging his right to remove her.

Carmen Efferson filed her response Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in Los Angeles Superior Court, asking a judge to order repairs, reduce the property's rental value until the problems are fixed and require Wonder to cover her attorney fees. She also disputes his claim that she occupied the home without providing payment or other compensation.

The filing describes several alleged problems with the Hollywood Hills residence, including leaking ceilings, damp walls, damaged flooring, holes in walls and carpets, defective window screens and plumbing issues. Efferson claims the conditions violate California's warranty of habitability, which generally requires landlords to maintain residential properties in a condition fit for occupancy.

Efferson also challenges Wonder's legal authority to bring the eviction case, claiming he does not own the property. Her response does not establish who holds title to the home, and the court has yet to decide whether her objection affects his right to seek possession.

The disagreement extends to the terms of her occupancy. Wonder maintains that an oral agreement allowed Efferson to live in the three-bedroom house without paying rent beginning in 1988. Efferson, however, asserts that she provided money, services or other nonmonetary compensation in exchange for staying there.

The nature of that arrangement could affect her defenses because California's habitability protections generally apply to residential tenancies, while the legal rights associated with other occupancy agreements may differ.

Wonder filed the eviction lawsuit in October, alleging that Efferson repeatedly refused to permit inspections needed to renew the property's insurance. According to his complaint, representatives attempted to enter the house three times in July, but she denied them access.

His attorneys subsequently notified Efferson that the oral agreement had been revoked and directed her to leave by August 27. She remained at the property, prompting Wonder to seek her removal and $600 in damages related to the alleged lapse in insurance coverage.

Efferson's response asks the court to address the property's condition and the parties' disputed legal rights before granting Wonder possession. The judge has not ruled on her requests or determined whether the singer is entitled to evict her.