Due Diligence: How to Research the Landlord [Updated]

Most tenants won’t need to research the landlord because the relationship is simply business: the tenant writes the check and the landlord provides the housing. But sometimes complications arise and it is useful to know the owner of the property. Not the property management company but the beneficial owner who profits from the enterprise. Here we share some tips on how we do our due diligence using city and state records.

Read more

Landlord’s Lawsuit to Block RSO is Dismissed

State Superior Court judge Hon. Mary Strobel has dismissed landlord Hank Dayani’s lawsuit to block the city’s registration of rental units. Dayani himself petitioned for the dismissal. Back in 2017 he requested from the court a temporary injunction citing numerous grounds, claiming that the registration program runs afoul of state law and also alleging harm to him and his tenants from the requirement. With a trial set for August 15th and little hope of prevailing, the plaintiff evidently concedes the city’s program is lawful after all.

Read more

Penalty for Rental Registration Laggards

Beverly Hills City Council wrapped up the year with an ordinance adopted December 19th to impose a penalty on any landlord that fails to register his rental property: no rent increase until it is registered. Council had to act because the city faces a state deadline to complete the registry yet according to the city one-in-five properties is still not registered.

Read more

Local Landlord Sues to Stop Rental Unit Registration

City of Beverly Hills is named as a defendant in the first lawsuit to target our rent stabilization program. Local landlord Hank Dayani filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the city from requiring him and his family trust to register his rental properties; and to keep any information collected by the city in relation to rental property registration confidential. The battle has moved from Council chambers to the the courtroom!

Read more