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Tenant harassment lawsuits and cases in Santa Monica

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The City of Santa Monica, California, has actively pursued legal action against landlords for tenant harassment as part of its commitment to preserving affordable housing and protecting tenants from unlawful eviction and intimidation. These lawsuits typically invoke the City's Tenant Harassment Ordinance and other state and municipal laws.

Background

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Santa Monica has long been known for its tenant protections, including strict rent control laws and ordinances aimed at curbing illegal evictions. In response to increasing reports of landlord harassment—particularly targeting low-income and rent-controlled tenants—the City enacted stronger measures and began a series of lawsuits to hold property owners accountable.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

The City's Tenant Harassment Ordinance, enacted in 2015 and subsequently strengthened, defines harassment broadly to include actions such as shutting off utilities, failing to perform repairs, issuing false notices, and making threats to intimidate tenants into vacating their homes. Landlords are required to pay for tenants' attorney fees.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16]

Notable lawsuits and criminal cases

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Stanislaw Slanda (1997)

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In November 1997, Santa Monica landlord Stanislaw Slanda was arrested and jailed on charges including making death threats, stalking, and committing hate crimes against his tenants. The tenants alleged that Slanda engaged in a campaign of harassment to force them out of their rent-controlled apartments, which included verbal abuse, threats of violence, and anti-semetic rhetoric. Slanda was held in jail on $75,000 bail pending arraignment.[17][18][19]

Donald Sterling Settlement (2001)

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In 2001, real estate magnate and Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling faced legal action from the City of Santa Monica due to allegations of tenant harassment in three of his rent-controlled apartment buildings. The lawsuit accused Sterling of attempting to evict tenants for minor infractions, such as placing potted plants on balconies, which were perceived as efforts to displace long-term residents and capitalize on higher market rents. To resolve these allegations, Sterling agreed to a settlement in which he paid $25,000 without admitting any wrongdoing.[20][21][22]

Russell No. 8 (2016)

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In December 2019, nine low-income, rent-controlled tenants in Santa Monica reached a $1 million settlement with their landlords—Martin Mink, Terry Mink, Florette Mink, and Russell No. 8 Santa Monica Properties, LLC. The lawsuit alleged that the landlords maintained their Ocean Front Walk property, known as the Overlook Hotel, in unsafe and uninhabitable conditions, including a substandard electrical system, inadequate plumbing, insufficient heating, mold, and infestations of bedbugs and cockroaches. A fire on December 12, 2015, exacerbated these issues, leading to the displacement of the tenants. Following the fire, the landlords allegedly failed to provide the temporary relocation benefits mandated by Santa Monica law and attempted to terminate the tenancies without proper compensation. The tenants were represented pro bono by the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and Scali Rasmussen, PC.[23][24][25][26][27][28]

Settlement with Sean Gharib (2017)

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In 2017, the City settled a case against landlord Sean Gharib for $30,000. The complaint alleged that Gharib tried to collect unpaid rent that was not legally owed and attempted to displace a long-term tenant using intimidation tactics. The settlement included restitution to the tenant and a commitment to comply with local housing laws.[29][30]

City of Santa Monica v. Patricia Angolan (2018)

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In 2018, the City of Santa Monica filed a lawsuit against resident Patricia Anglano, alleging she orchestrated a rental scam targeting over ten individuals responding to online advertisements for room rentals in her apartment. The complaint detailed that after collecting deposits, Anglano subjected applicants to harassing behaviors—including threats of bodily harm, false accusations to police and employers, invasion of privacy, and denial of apartment amenities—to force them to vacate or deter them from moving in.[31][32][33]

The legal action was pursued under Santa Monica’s Tenant Harassment law, which prohibits landlords and tenants from engaging in such unlawful conduct. The settlement barred Anglano from advertising or renting residential spaces in Santa Monica and from receiving any related payments.[32][33]

Anglano filed three defamation lawsuits against the Santa Monica Daily Press, alleging that their coverage of the settlement harmed her reputation. All three lawsuits were dismissed, with the court advising Anglano to cease further legal actions against the publication.[34][33]

City of Santa Monica v. Masoud Atef (2024)

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In May 2024, the City filed a lawsuit against Masoud Atef, a landlord accused of engaging in a campaign of harassment at his apartment buildings. According to the complaint, Atef allegedly disrupted utility services, issued unlawful eviction notices, and retaliated against tenants who complained to city officials. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and injunctive relief.[35][36][37][38][39]

City of Santa Monica v. Nahid Jahanbin (2025)

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In February 2025, the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office obtained a court judgment against landlord Nahid Jahanbin. The case involved allegations that Jahanbin harassed tenants at a rent-controlled property by failing to provide basic maintenance, making verbal threats, and attempting to force a buyout under coercive terms. The court issued an injunction preventing further harassment and ordered monetary penalties.[40][41][42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Kravetz, Stacy (1999-04-28). "Rent Decontrol Yields Surprises For Landlords in Santa Monica". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
  2. ^ Goldman, Abigail (1997-11-13). "Tenants Claim Landlord Made Death Threats". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  3. ^ Pauker, Madeleine (2019-11-13). "Corporate landlord cited for tenant harassment in New York may be using the same tactics in Santa Monica, renters say". Santa Monica Daily Press. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  4. ^ "LA tried to stop landlords from harassing tenants. Now it's planning to ramp up enforcement". LAist. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  5. ^ Leffler, Thomas (2024-06-28). "$76 ceiling imposed in annual rent general adjustment". Santa Monica Daily Press. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  6. ^ Moran, Julio (1990-10-25). "LOCAL ELECTIONS: RENT CONTROL BOARD : Tenants' Slate Holds Upper Hand : Santa Monica: The fate of two competing rent control propositions, however, is still unclear". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  7. ^ "Santa Monica; Suit Accuses Landlord of Trying to Coerce Tenants Into Leaving". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 421147512.
  8. ^ Shaffrey, Ted (14 Jan 2001). "Westside renters are still feeling the squeeze: Eviction notices double in Santa Monica and West Hollywood following changes in rent control law". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 2151106434.
  9. ^ Goldman, Abigail (13 Nov 1997). "Landlord Accused of Death Threats: Housing: The Santa Monica man faces 37 misdemeanor charges. But his attorney says tenants are harassing him". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 2110015372.
  10. ^ "Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance – LAHD". Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  11. ^ "L.A. City Council adopts stronger tenant harassment ordinance". Los Angeles Times. 2024-10-30. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  12. ^ Farr, Daria Solovieva and Isabella (2024-02-14). "Santa Monica City Council approves new tenant protections". The Real Deal. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  13. ^ "New Renter Protections to Take Effect in Santa Monica, Including Rent Stabilization and Anti-Retaliation Measures | National Low Income Housing Coalition". nlihc.org. 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  14. ^ "Landlords Cannot Avoid Paying Tenants' Attorney Fees in Housing Rights Cases - Santa Monica Daily Press". 2019-01-11. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  15. ^ "LA tried to stop landlords from harassing tenants. Now it's planning to ramp up enforcement". LAist. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  16. ^ "LOCAL LANDLORDS AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY PLACED ON CRIMINAL DIVERSION". Federal News Service. ProQuest 2708645621.
  17. ^ Goldman, Abigail (1997-11-13). "Tenants Claim Landlord Made Death Threats". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  18. ^ Cogan, David (1998-02-04). "Rent Rage". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  19. ^ "Santa Monica Landlord Ordered to Pay $450K in Tenant Harassment Case". SM Mirror. 2025-02-27. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  20. ^ "Sterling to Pay $25,000 Over Tenant Harassment". Los Angeles Times. 2001-09-29. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  21. ^ Zirin, Dave (2014-04-26). "Donald Sterling: Slumlord Billionaire". pp. The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  22. ^ Mosendz, Polly (2014-05-29). "A Complete Timeline of the Donald Sterling Saga". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  23. ^ Catanzaro, Sam (2019-12-17). "Santa Monica Tenants Obtain $1M Settlement With Landlord". SM Mirror. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  24. ^ Pauker, Madeleine (2019-12-18). "Tenants secure $1 million settlement from Santa Monica landlords". Santa Monica Daily Press. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  25. ^ Casuso, Jorge (17 Dec 2019). "Low-Income Santa Monica Tenants Win $1 Million Settlement". Santa Monica Lookout. Retrieved 6 Apr 2025.
  26. ^ "Landlords Using Fire to Illegally Evict; Lawsuit Filed to Protect Elderly, Disabled Tenants". LAFLA: Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. 2016-04-13. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  27. ^ "Elderly, Disabled Residents Left Outside in the Cold". SM Mirror. 2016-04-18. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  28. ^ "Elderly, Disabled Residents Left Outside in the Cold in Santa Monica". WestsideToday. 2016-04-15. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  29. ^ "City wins $30,000 settlement in Tenant Harassment Case". Santa Monica Daily Press. 2017-05-03. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  30. ^ Casuso, Jorge (4 May 2017). "Santa Monica Landlord Harassment Case Highlights Strong Tenant Protections". Santa Monica Lookout. Retrieved 6 Apr 2025.
  31. ^ Hall, Matthew (2022-07-01). "Daily Press prevails in defamation suit". Santa Monica Daily Press. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  32. ^ a b "Santa Monica City Attorney's Office Obtains Judgment Against Tenant In Rental Scam Case". Santa Monica Daily Press. 2018-12-14. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  33. ^ a b c Hall, Matthew (2024-06-21). "Accused rental scammer loses third lawsuit against the Daily Press". Santa Monica Daily Press. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  34. ^ Hall, Matthew (2024-12-27). "Year in review June: City gets sued and problems at Santa Monica Place". Santa Monica Daily Press. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  35. ^ Hall, Matthew (2024-05-23). "Pico landlord facing multiple tenant harassment lawsuits". Santa Monica Daily Press. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  36. ^ "Santa Monica City Attorney Sues Landlord Masoud Atef for Alleged Tenant Harassment and Fair Housing Violations". Hoodline. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  37. ^ Writer, Staff (2024-05-24). "City Files Lawsuit Against Landlord Over Alleged Discrimination and Harassment". SM Mirror. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  38. ^ "Landlord Sued By City Of Santa Monica For Fair Housing, Harassment". Canyon News. 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  39. ^ "CITY SUES LANDLORD TO ENFORCE FAIR HOUSING AND TENANT HARASSMENT LAWS". Federal News Service. ProQuest 3059238368.
  40. ^ "Landlord to Pay $450,000 in Tenant Harassment Suits". Santa Monica Lookout. 26 Feb 2025. Retrieved 6 Apr 2025.
  41. ^ "Santa Monica Landlord Ordered to Pay $450K in Tenant Harassment Case". SM Mirror. 2025-02-27. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  42. ^ "City Attorney's Office obtains judgment and injunction against landlord in tenant harassment case". www.santamonica.gov. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
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