Practice Areas
Uninhabitable Dwellings
Los Angeles Attorney Philip Shakhnis has represented many families and obtained substantial settlements for families residing in slum living conditions. Mr. Shakhnis puts together a team of testifying experts that directly and forcefully explains how the landlord failed to comply with the law and the resulting injuries to the tenants.
The Law Protects Tenants
California law requires that owners of rental properties provide their tenants with a healthy and safe home (regardless of whether it is an apartment, converted garage or house).
Unfortunately, some landlords simply take the rent without maintaining their rentals in a safe and habitable condition. Their properties turn into slums and the tenants are at the mercy of a slumlord who refuses to make repairs despite repeated complaints.
Families and Children Suffer in Slum Conditions
As a result, families and children are forced to live with mice, rats, cockroaches, spiders, lack of heat, no hot water, broken windows, peeling paint, rainwater leaks, plumbing leaks and holes in walls.
These unhealthy and unsafe conditions have physical, psychological and emotional impacts. Family members begin to experience symptoms such as colds, flus, infections, weakened immune systems, depression, anxiety, asthma, skin rashes and other health problems.
First Steps to Take to Protect Your Rights
To protect your rights as a tenant you should consider taking the following steps:
- Call and make a complaint to the Los Angeles Housing Department at (866) 557-RENT and to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health at (888) 700-9995.
- Take photos and videotape of all unhealthy and unsafe living conditions in your home.
- Make complaints about all of the problems to your landlord or apartment manager in writing and keep a copy.
- Contact an attorney to review your rights and legal options.
Verdicts & Settlements
$250,000 – Uninhabitable Apartments
Tenants residing in five apartments sued their landlord for uninhabitable conditions including cockroach infestation, spiders, lack of heat, insufficient hot water, lack of security, deteriorating fixtures and kitchen cabinets, rain water leaks and crumbling paint.
$230,000 – Uninhabitable Apartments
Tenants residing in five rooms in a sub-divided house sued their landlord for uninhabitable conditions including cockroach infestation, spiders, lack of heat, insufficient hot water, lack of security, deteriorating fixtures and kitchen cabinets, rain water leaks and crumbling paint.
$115,000 – Uninhabitable Dwelling
Non-English speaking family was enticed to move into the back portion of a commercial premises that they were leasing to operate a family business. The owner promised to renovate the back portion and make it livable. The owner did not keep his promise and the family could not afford to move. The family lived with cockroaches, no heat, no kitchen, no shower and cold drafts for six years.
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