LOS ANGELES (KNX) — Los Angeles County filed a public nuisance complaint against a homeowner due to a hoarding issue that has plagued neighbors for years, despite the property falling within the Los Angeles City limits.
Neighbors in the surrounding area have complained about the home for years, filing complaints and seeking court orders since 2018 to force the removal of the junk filling the yard of the home located in the 16500 block of Bircher Street.
In November, Los Angeles City sent workers to clear more than 20,000 pounds of trash from the front yard. Neighbors said that offered a temporary solution that has compounded once again. The cleanup, authorized by Councilman John Lee, cost taxpayers $12,000.
Nearly a year later, the home appeared much cleaner from the exterior, but those nearby said it was just for show.
"I saw the change as soon as that report came out," said Tina Alleguez, a neighbor, who added it never lasts for long. "They clean it up just enough, to make it look better for the inspection."
L.A. County called the home an "incessant source of public nuisance," filing the lawsuit against the woman who owns the property and her son. Court documents said the property harbors rodents and roaches, presents an eyesore, and causes "excessive and constant noise disturbance," with constant "loitering, trespass, damage to personal property, violence, and threatening behavior."
The lawsuit alleged the homeowners have subjected their neighbors to "public nuisance conditions that have endangered the residents' health, property, safety, and welfare, and have substantially and unreasonably interfered with the residents' comfortable enjoyment of life and property."
Alleguez said she won't let her teenage daughter ride her bike down the street "just because of the undesirable people that hang out there."
Residents said they were pleased to hear about the pending lawsuit but are apprehensive in believing it could force permanent change.
"This wouldn't be the first time we were teased with some sort of solution," said James Eric, who also lives nearby.
Experts believe the lawsuit could send the home into receivership.
"The property pays its own cost to repair. What that means is the court will approve a lien on the property to cover the hard costs, like a contractor or a clean out crew," said Mark Adams with California Receivership Group, who said the suit is unique because while the property falls within L.A. City limits, the county took this action.
"The City of Los Angeles has a miserable enforcement record," Adams continued. "There are properties like this all over the City of Los Angeles that should be taken care of and aren't."
A spokesperson with the L.A. City Attorney's office told CBS, "The City worked closely and supportively with the County in bringing the lawsuit. Because a single lawsuit is sufficient to address this situation, there was no need for the City to join or file a separate action."
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