December 1, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Tenants Obtain $1M Settlement With Landlord

Landlord pays low-income tenants $1 million to settle suit over violations of local law

By Sam Catanzaro

Nine low-income Santa Monica tenants have obtained a $1 million settlement with their landlords in a suit over violations of a Santa Monca law protecting renters.

On December 16, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and Scali Rasmussen, PC announced they have obtained a million-dollar settlement for nine Santa Monica low-income rent-controlled tenants in a suit against their landlords: Defendants Martin Mink, Terry Mink, Florette Mink and Russell No. 8 Santa Monica Properties, LLC. The suit, filed in 2016, claimed the landlords kept their apartment complex in unsafe and uninhabitable conditions and then attempted to terminate their occupancies after a fire forced them to vacate without paying tenents temporary relocation benefits mandated under local law.

“I lost my home of 28 years and all of my belongings in a fire that could have been prevented had the Mink family taken proper care of their building. Rather than pay temporary relocation, Marty Mink told my neighbors and me to sleep in sleeping bags on the manager’s floor. I am now 77 years old, and the fire took a toll on my health and the lawsuit was very stressful,” said lead plaintiff, Isabel Cernek.

The building, dubbed the Overlook Hotel located on Ocean Front Walk just south of the Santa Monica Pier, went up in flames on December 12, 2015. The tenants claim the fire was a result of the building’s subpar electrical system – one of several of what they described as”slum-like” conditions, including faulty plumbing and fire prevention systems, inadequate heat (including some units with no heat at all), mold and infestations of bedbugs and cockroaches.

Following the fire, with the tenants displaced, Russell No. 8 neglected to pay them the temporary relocation benefits mandated under Santa Monica municipal code. The landlords instead submitted paperwork to the Santa Monica Rent Control Board to remove the property from the residential rental housing market under the Ellis Act. Russell No. 8 and the Mink family then began planning to make renovations to convert the Overlook Hotel and adjacent properties (also owned by Russell) into a more profitable commercial enterprise.

Facing homelessness after the fire, the low-income tenants were given temporary shelter in local motels by the Red Cross and the City of Santa Monica. Russell No. 8 eventually offered the tenants only permanent relocation, saying the Ellis notice and fire immediately ended the tenancies.

“Although it took years of litigation, we were able to get these tenants compensation for the hardships they endured. I hope that this case will serve as a warning to landlords who consider defying laws designed to protect vulnerable tenants,” said Senior Attorney Denise McGranahan of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.

The trial lasted for over three years and while attorneys representing the plaintiffs describe this as a stalling tactic by the defense, they say it ultimately cost Russell No. 8 more in the settlement.

“If Russell No. 8 had simply complied with local law, its liability would have been limited to only tens of thousands in relocation benefits,” said attorney John Swenson of Scali Rasmussen. “However, as the result of the dilatory tactics advised or followed by its lawyers, and the years of mistreatment of the tenants, Russell No. 8 was able to end its liability only by settling for $1 million.”

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Popular Palisadian Road Reopens After Repairs

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

Both lanes are now unobstructed leading to the Pacific Coast Highway @smmirrornews Temescal has reopened after weeks of repairs. #pacificpalisades...

Employee Fights Suspect Breaking Into Santa Monica Restaurant

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

A Mere Week After the Business Underwent Extensive Renovations and a Grand Reopening By Zach Armstrong A mere week after...

Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit Against Santa Monica School Dismissed by Judge

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

A Student Sought to Halt the Mandate’s Enforcement and Also Pursued Compensatory Damages.  A judge at the Santa Monica Superior...

Fairview Branch Open House: A Festive Affair Welcoming Santa Monica Back to the Library

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Exciting Open House to Bring the Community Together for the Holidays By Robert Graves, Librarian II  On Tuesday, December 5,...

Kamala Harris Highlights Venice Bakery on Small Business Saturday

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Harris Is Seen Ordering and Enjoying Some of the Restaurant’s Chilaquiles By Zach Armstrong Vice President and former California U.S....

(Video) Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant with real ingredients and delicacies from Italy. You can tell that the restaurant is...

Holiday Pub Crawl Coming to Santa Monica

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

More Than 20 Bars and Restaurants Will Offer Exclusive $6-$9 Food and Drink Specials By Zach Armstrong The holidays are...

Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting Coming This Weekend

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

The Event Is Set to Include Photo-Ops With Santa, Carnival Games, Free Food and Drinks and Live Performances The 12th...

Ribbon-Cutting Event to Celebrate New & Improved Bike Paths

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

The Recently Finished Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue Project Aims to Enhance Bike and Pedestrian Safety On...

Need Some Festive Hanukkah Catering? Here Are Some Suggestions From Rustic Canyon Restaurants

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

The Holidays Are Stressful, These Restaurants Can Help  By Dolores Quintana Do you need some hints on where to get...

Montana Avenue Holiday Walk: A Joyful 11 Blocks of Lights, Music, and Festive Spirit

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

Experience the Magic with Live Music, Santa’s Celebration, and Holiday Displays By Dolores Quintana Embrace the festive spirit as Montana...

Protesters Target AIPAC President’s Home in Brentwood – LAPD Investigates Possible Hate Crime

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

On Thanksgiving Morning, Two Dozen Demonstrators Caught on Camera  By Dolores Quintana On Thanksgiving morning, a group of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators...

Venice Shorts: Incinerated RV Found on Main Street

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

Burned out vehicles plague this exhausted neighborhood. By Nick Antonicello  The situation on the streets of Venice remains dangerous and...

Council Votes in Support of Upcoming Ballot Initiative on Mental Health Assistance

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

Proposition 1 Would Utilize a $6.38 Billion Bond in Existing State Funds By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica City Council voted...

 (Video) Downtown SM Eatery Closes Its Doors

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

The Watering Hole Located at 205 Broadway Has an Inactive Website @smmirrornews The eatery, located at 205 Broadway, has an...