EL SERENO : Landlord Fined $13,500 for Code Violations

The owner of an El Sereno apartment complex was ordered to pay $13,500 in fines for violating 25 health and safety and building codes at his building, officials said this week. Ed Brennan, 61, of Whittier was convicted of violating the codes at Rodeo Gardens, a 19-unit apartment house he owns at 5391 N. Huntington Drive, City Atty. James Hahn said.

Los Angeles Municipal Court Judge Veronica Simmons McBeth also placed Brennan on three years summary probation and gave him a series of deadlines for making repairs at the apartment house.

The judge said that if the repairs are completed on time she would consider lowering the fines, a court clerk said. Under McBeth’s order, Brennan must have six of the occupied units renovated and the tenants returned to their living spaces by July 30. Another six occupied units must be renovated by Sept. 3, and the remaining, unoccupied units must be repaired by Oct. 30. Brennan was convicted June 1.

Code violations found at the building included broken doors and windows, damaged plumbing and electrical fixtures, and missing and damaged smoke detectors.