Santa Ana : Tenants Sue Landlords in Rent Strike Dispute
Eight low-income residents from Santa Ana and two from Anaheim filed suit against their landlords Monday, marking the most recent legal skirmish in a bitter Orange County rent strike that has been raging for the past several months.
The 10 plaintiffs contend that the owners of their apartments have failed to maintain the buildings and are exploiting the tenants’ poverty and inability to find decent, affordable housing in the area.
Owners have violated state and local housing codes, the suit said, and “so negligently and carelessly maintained, entrusted and controlled the premises as to render them dangerous to the life and safety of (the) residents.” The suit was filed against the limited partnerships of Beach West No. 3, Beach West No. 9 and T&MI;, and landowners Anna Saignes, Man Hong Ng, Sam Menlo and Pablo V. Sarabia.
Tenants are seeking general and special damages and $500,000 in exemplary and punitive damages. In addition, they are asking that the court prohibit the landlords from harassing the tenants and from collecting rent until the buildings are brought up to code. Attorneys for the tenants and the landlords could not be reached for comment.
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