ORDER and FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

CAROLYN K. DELANEY, Magistrate Judge.

This action was removed from state court.1 Removal jurisdiction statutes are strictly construed against removal. See Libhart v. Santa Monica Dairy Co., 592 F.2d 1062, 1064 (9th Cir. 1979). "Federal jurisdiction must be rejected if there is any doubt as to the right of removal in the first instance." Gaus v. Miles, 980 F.2d 564, 566 (9th Cir. 1992). The party invoking removal bears the burden of establishing federal jurisdiction. Hunter v. Philip Morris USA, 582 F.3d 1039 (9th Cir. 2009). Where it appears the district court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the case shall be remanded. 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c).

In conclusory fashion, the removal petition alleges the complaint is subject to federal question jurisdiction. Removal based on federal question jurisdiction is proper only when a federal question is presented on the face of the plaintiff's properly pleaded complaint. Caterpillar Inc. v. Williams, 482 U.S. 386, 392 (1987). However, the exhibits attached to the removal petition establish the state court action is nothing more than a simple unlawful detainer action, and the state court action is titled as such. Defendants have failed to meet their burden of establishing federal jurisdiction and the matter should therefore be remanded. See generally Singer v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., 116 F.3d 373, 375-376 (9th Cir. 1997).

Defendants have filed motions to proceed in forma pauperis. Because the court will recommend remand of this action, the motions will be denied without prejudice.

Plaintiff has requested payment of costs and expenses incurred in connection with the motion to remand. Given defendants' impoverished state as demonstrated by their motions to proceed in forma pauperis, the court finds an award of expenses is not appropriate in the circumstances of this case. See 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c) ("order remanding the case may require payment of just costs and any actual expenses, including attorney fees, incurred as a result of the removal").

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Defendants' motions to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF Nos. 2, 3) are denied without prejudice;

2. The hearing date of February 4, 2015 on plaintiffs' motion to remand is vacated; and

IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that:

1. Plaintiffs' motion to remand (ECF No. 5) be granted and the above-entitled action be summarily remanded to the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento; and

2. No award of costs be made.

These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Any reply to the objections shall be served and filed within seven days after service of the objections. The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).