Code Violations
Re “Answering for Years of Neglect,” Feb. 9.
With all due respect to the authorities involved, jailing a landlord won’t get the property fixed. The Times story indicates the problem is at least six years old.
Why are unsophisticated, economically deprived tenants forced to languish in dangerously unhealthy situations for six years before action is taken?
There must be an instrument allowing the authorities to take over the management of the property, repair to code, impose a lien against which collected rent would apply until repairs were paid for in full, and only then return ownership to the owner of record.
Certainly the courts, the city attorney’s office, neighborhood services and code enforcing officials can find a way to get the job done.
One hundred and twenty days in jail won’t get the job done.
HERMAN BERMAN
Sherman Oaks
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
