Landlord/tenant relations can be strenuous and the dispute that has arisen in a South Los Angeles community is no exception.  There are nearly a dozen people facing eviction from their homes.  The problems they face happened because a transitional housing manager did not pay their rent and abandoned the property. 

A recent court appearance allowed attorneys for the tenants to stop the eviction based on the grounds that there had been no notice of unlawful detainer filed against the transitional manager.  She also had not informed the tenants they would be evicted as a result of her inaction.

The two sides were unable to reach an agreement when they met in the hallway outside of the courtroom in the Los Angeles Superior Court building (eviction court).

Both parties were ordered by the judge to return on March 29^th after mediation is attempted between the landlord, tenants, and the City of Los Angeles’ Housing and Community Investment Department two days earlier. 

The March 27^th mediation attempt will address relocation money and time for all of the 12 tenants.  None of them knew they were being evicted in advance.  Each was staying in a room in a “dilapidated, ramshackle house. ” Tenants included Social Security (SSI) and General Relief recipients, developmentally disabled, mentally ill, autistic, stroke victims, and working adults who unable to afford rent in Los Angeles.

The sides had at one time considered an offer of $50,000 split among the tenants, but was rejected.  A follow up offer of $2000 and a 90 day evacuation period was also turned down.

According to the HCIDLA, tenants could be eligible for up to $20,000 in relocation assistance.