Anaheim

A landlord facing a rent strike from tenants in his Anaheim complex said he “absolutely” plans to begin eviction procedures today.

But while Sam Menlo, owner of the Royal Gardens Apartments, estimated Monday the number of tenants withholding their rent at “about six,” rent strike organizers said the number had reached 200.

“And it’s growing,” said Kathleen Roquemore, a resident at the 1700 Temple St. complex who said she is withholding rent until conditions improve.

Monday was the deadline for tenants to pay their rent before receiving late notices. Some tenants have said they will not pay their rent until conditions at their apartments improve.

“I’ve practically given the cockroaches names,” said resident Warren Kloba, a rent strike organizer.

John Poole, who heads Anaheim’s code enforcement department, said that a city inspector checked two or three apartments Monday and found some violations, primarily water leaks. The code enforcement department has received few complaints from Royal Gardens residents, enforcement officers have said.

Meanwhile, resident Tracey Stevens said she has been harassed by some of her neighbors in the 350-unit complex for not joining the rent strike.

“I don’t have enough wrong with my apartment to justify withholding my rent.” Stevens said. “There are a lot of problems here. A lot of things that need to be done. But also there are a lot of things that are tenant related.”

Kloba said he had heard conflicting reports about a tenant being harassed for not participating. “If I hear of any harassment, I’ll pull out.”

“We have gone through great lengths to tell the people that are participating in the rent strike that it is a matter of choice,” Kloba said.

Apartment owner Menlo refused to comment on the tenants’ allegations.