I have rented a rent-controlled apartment at 1015 9th Street since 2014. In spring 2025, our owner told us in writing that our ceilings contain asbestos and warned us not to disturb them.
About a year later, that same owner began demolishing the roof and ceilings directly above us. The only advance notice, dated April 24, 2026, called the project “noise and vibrations.”
We paid for independent testing. A state-certified consultant and an accredited lab confirmed the material released into our homes is friable asbestos (3% chrysotile).
The owner’s own consultant, within days of the demolition, called it “undisturbed” and recommended no cleanup.
Since then, the City’s Building & Safety division confirmed the work required a permit and a Construction Means and Methods Plan, which the owner lacked; no asbestos notification was filed with regional air regulators for our floor; and a Code Enforcement case (26COM-0788) is open.
The roof-access door has been removed against fire code, and skylights left open, exposing our top floor to weather and to intruders. Also, exposing the entire building’s occupants to severe harm. The code inspector and fire and police departments have all said they “don’t want to get involved.”
The owner agreed in writing to cover our relocation costs, then verbally rejected every moving quote we submitted. We’ve been told we can’t see our replacement units unless we first sign to move sight unseen — and warned in writing that if we don’t move immediately, we’ll be blamed for “harming the building.”
Seven households on our floor are affected, several with young children. We are only asking that existing law be enforced. I have the documentation and will share it with anyone willing to look.
Megan Bernard
1015 9th Street, Unit 307
Santa Monica
