Regular readers already know that KTLA reported on two abandoned Studio City properties last week - and that Mayor Bass and Councilwoman Raman have been bickering over responsibility. NBC4 has now reported on two troubled properties - one in the Hollywood Hills, the other in often-ignored South LA.
I am NEVER surprised to hear about nuisance properties in the Hollywood Hills. While they boast some of LA’s most desirable real estate, there have been many, many horror stories of certain houses being rented out for parties that create excessive noise, block the narrow streets, and even draw crime (vandalism, theft, vehicle break-ins, public intoxication…). The problem is so rampant that Outpost Estates has a guide for handling nuisance parties.
The house in question has a trespassing problem, has been the location of “numerous parties”, and the neighbors are concerned about drug use and possible fires (we do NOT want a fire in the Hills; narrow streets slow down evacuation).
Neighbors also report that the house’s poor construction has caused mudslides.
As with the Studio City properties, neighbors have repeatedly contacted Mayor Bass and Councilwoman Raman (it’s in CD4), but have received no help.
Is anyone surprised? I know I’m not.
NBC4 included a form for reporting problem properties to them at the bottom of the story linked above, so if you have an abandoned house from hell in your neighborhood, go for it.
Mayor Bass and Council President Harris-Dawson issued a joint statement that included the following:
The Board of Building & Safety Commissioners declared this site a nuisance, and LADBS has submitted work orders to clean the site. The City will look into all legal options available to hold the property owner accountable and to cite them for all costs incurred during the clean up.”
Explain to me, please, why they aren’t doing that with ALL nuisance properties? LA has way too many to list.
The statement continued:
In her proposed budget, Mayor Bass allocated $2 million to address vacant city lots, but it was removed. The Mayor will be calling on the City Council to restore this funding so all properties can be secured and made safe.
Oh, does she mean the same budget that had the money for Project Homekey, which was found to have more than 1200 empty units? The same budget that never has money for badly needed infrastructure repairs, but somehow had half a million dollars for hanging Olympic flags at City Hall and tens of millions for excess pension contributions?
The budget is horribly mismanaged (ask the Controller’s office). Even if the money were allocated in the next budget, I’m not convinced it would be used properly.
Still, I’m grateful to NBC4 for addressing this. I do what I can, but I’m just a nerd with a blog.
The real crime is that the only mitigation measure LADBS understands is demolition. The City could impose a fine of $1,000 per day, and up to $100,000 per year for improperly secured buildings. The fine can take the form of a lien, collectable when the property is sold. The problem is our City Attorney is too lazy to get off her ass and file the paperwork. The typical routine is for the city to wait many years to file against the owner, discovering that the property has been sold. Then, because the buyer had nothing to do with the illegal activity, the matter gets dropped. Hit a few property owners with substantial fines, and this practice will stop.