BY LIAM DILLON

From LATimes
Projects that cross the transom of the Beverly Hills building department include the extravagant — pool grottoes and bowling alleys — as well as the more quotidian kitchen and living room upgrades.
In recent months, the city approved a $100,000 basement spa in the $125-million mega-mansion owned by WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum, exterior upgrades for an $80,000-a-month rental and a $130,000 kitchen and bathroom remodel in a home purchased a week before for $6.7 million.
Now, any similar home improvements desired by Beverly Hills property owners are under threat.
Last month, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Curtis A. Kin blocked the city from issuing all building permits except for new residential development as a penalty for Beverly Hills’ failure to approve a sufficient blueprint for affordable housing.
Officials are appealing the decision and say they’re continuing to process permits as normal. But the potential ramifications on home and business owners and the construction industry have left civic leaders aghast.
“I’m shocked by the judgment,” said Murray Fischer, a real estate attorney who has practiced in Beverly Hills for 50 years. “It would mean that the city is at a standstill.”
The permit moratorium would be among the most concrete consequences of California’s attempts in recent years to push cities to allow for new housing, including in wealthy communities that have long resisted it.
Few if any places are more famous for their luxury than Beverly Hills, where entrepreneurs and entertainers — such as Jeff Bezos, Leonardo DiCaprio and Taylor Swift — own mansions, opulent hotels attract well-heeled visitors, and glamorous boutiques make Rodeo Drive one of the most expensive shopping strips in the world.

Yet growth has been nonexistent. In 1970, the population of Beverly Hills was 33,400. Today, it is 32,400. Over the same period, the number of California residents has doubled to nearly 40 million.
Home and business owners in Beverly Hills frequently remodel their properties, but the makeup of the community — with single-family homes north of Santa Monica Boulevard and largely multifamily and commercial development south — has remained the same. Some residents argue the city’s fame and beauty result from efforts to preserve it as it is.
“We have intentionally created a desirable environment by deliberately avoiding overdevelopment and over-densification,” said Thomas White, chair of the Municipal League, a 60-year-old civic organization.
State officials previously had not challenged Beverly Hills despite a 50-year-old law that requires local governments to plan for a growing population and allow people of all incomes to live in every community.
Under the law, every eight years the state tells all cities how many new homes they need to accommodate. In the cycle before this one, Beverly Hills’ total was three, an amount so minuscule given the depths of California’s housing problems that it invited national attention.
In an effort to combat widespread housing unaffordability and reduce carbon emissions, state legislators in recent years have passed a series of laws aimed to encourage more development in cities near job centers and mass transit. No longer, they argued, should wealthy enclaves get a pass — citing the discriminatory effects of low-density zoning laws and research showing better economic and health outcomes for low-income families that can move to richer areas.
In the current period, Beverly Hills’ target under the housing planning law jumped to 3,104 homes, with three-quarters of them affordable to low- and middle-income residents.
The state does not mandate that cities build or approve new projects, just that they zone for them. Nevertheless, after Beverly Hills’ number was set in late 2019, years of angst followed.
The city’s strategy has been to try to continue to wall off its existing residential neighborhoods — those with the mega-mansions and apartments buildings alike — and instead concentrate growth in commercial areas through mixed-use development.
The plan hasn’t worked. The state has rejected five blueprints from Beverly Hills since summer 2021, most recently in December. California housing department officials said the city is overestimating how many of its commercial properties could add residential development and criticized the plan on fair housing grounds for not allowing more affordable housing in the city’s whiter and more affluent areas.
As Beverly Hills was fighting with the state, Californians for Homeownership, a nonprofit funded by the California Assn. of Realtors, sued the city last January, asking a judge to compel officials to pass a compliant housing plan. Kin agreed that Beverly Hills’ blueprint was deficient, citing similar issues as the state.
The judge noted that Beverly Hills is counting on medical office buildings and car dealerships to convert to housing, despite the city’s own concession that it’s unlikely to happen. In its plan, for instance, the city says an Audi dealership on Wilshire Boulevard that was just renovated could turn into 41 apartments.
Matthew Gelfand, an attorney representing Californians for Homeownership, praised Kin for the permit moratorium, saying that the decision could lead to a groundswell within Beverly Hills to make a deal with the state.
“There is some real consequence to the city continuing to drag its feet,” Gelfand said, “a real consequence that will make people demand that the city do its job.”
Gelfand said the permit moratorium should now be in effect. But he said he’s open to negotiations to pause it while the case is under appeal.
Similar permitting moratoriums have been issued in cases involving local housing blueprints for some time, seen as a remedy harsh enough to cajole reluctant cities, though they’re typically put on hold to give local governments one more chance to take action. An August legal settlement involving state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and the city of San Bernardino calls for a permitting moratorium triggered only if the city doesn’t pass a state-approved housing plan this year.
But targeting a community as wealthy — and with as busy and expensive a home remodeling industry — as Beverly Hills is unprecedented, said Bill Fulton, a fellow at UC Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation and an expert on California planning.
Fulton attributed the decision to the state’s more aggressive housing targets combined with outside groups’ increasing willingness to sue.
“It was inevitable that some judge was going to do this,” he said. “But whether this becomes the norm or not, I don’t know.”
Besides pursuing an appeal of the court ruling, Beverly Hills officials plan to submit additional information about the city’s housing blueprint to the state in the coming weeks in the hopes of garnering approval soon, city attorney Larry Wiener said in a statement.
Beverly Hills is facing potential impacts aside from the permit moratorium. Developers are taking advantage of a tactic available only when cities don’t have a compliant housing plan to propose building essentially whatever they want as long as they set aside a certain number of units for low- or middle-income residents.
Eight projects totaling 706 units have been put forward at heights and densities that otherwise wouldn’t be allowed, including a 19-story tower blocks from the Waldorf Astoria and Peninsula hotels that would be the tallest building in Beverly Hills. If constructed, the developments would bring roughly 140 low-income homes to the city, seven times more affordable housing than was built in the entire previous eight-year cycle.
In contrast to affluent enclaves in Silicon Valley or coastal communities up and down the state, Beverly Hills, with its robust commercial district and central location, always has had a level of urbanity and a mix of housing. Nearly 60% of Beverly Hills housing stock is apartments and condominiums, and more than half its residents are renters.
Half those renters pay more than 30% of their incomes on housing, an amount the federal government considers “cost burdened,” an example of affordable housing problems directly affecting Beverly Hills.
Still, residents opposed to the state’s housing mandates say they will require too much change.
“When you try to force too many sardines into a sardine can, you end up with something inedible,” said White of the Municipal League. “It’s the same thing here. You have a fully built out city, and the state wants to force a lot more people into it. We don’t want to see our city destroyed one square foot at a time.”
Fischer, the real estate attorney, is part of a group of local lawyers, architects, real estate investors and others who have proposed meeting state requirements by raising height limits in prime mixed-use areas to as tall as 100 feet. He agreed with the city’s attempts to limit growth in residential areas and said he believes the proposal is a fair one.
“There are very limited amounts of space where they can provide for greater housing,” Fischer said.
Others, even those who would lose business during a permit moratorium, said it’s time Beverly Hills faced sanctions for its resistance to new development.

Andrew Slocum, left, and Louis Parada, co-founders of Urban Development Company, on Jan. 16, 2024, in Beverly Hills.
 
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)Andrew Slocum, co-owner of Urban Development Co., said Beverly Hills’ zoning and building restrictions make it too hard on firms like his that are trying to provide smaller mixed-income and affordable housing projects in the community. Slocum, whose company also has worked on home remodeling in Beverly Hills, said he supports a moratorium to force the city to act.
“It’s going to cause a little bit of pain for people who work in that municipality, but I think sometimes pain creates change,” Slocum said.
Slocum said that because the city is continuing to process remodeling projects, many are unaware of last month’s court decision. But if that changes, he said, the reaction probably will be immediate.
“The minute someone goes in there and they do not issue permits, it’ll be wildfire through the developer, the builder, the contractor community,” Slocum said. “It’s unheard of.”
Liam Dillon covers the issues of housing affordability and neighborhood change across California for the Los Angeles Times.

Notes:
- All residential units not subject to RSO are now protected under the City's Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. This applies after the expiration of the initial lease or 6 months of continuous occupancy, whichever comes first. 
- Just Cause Eviction must have a legal reason to evict a tenant. 
- Landlord must pay relocation assistance for no-fault eviction. 
- Effective Jan 27, 2023, any written notice terminating tenancy must be filed with LAHD within 3 business days of service on the tenant. 
- All no-fault evictions must be filed with LAHD, submit required fees, and pay the tenant relocation assistance before a notice to terminate a tenancy is issued to the tenant. 
- Landlords are to provide a summary of the renter's rights for tenancies. It should also be posted in accessible common area of the property. 
- Landlord can't evict tenant who falls behind on rent unless the tenant owes an amount higher than the Fair Market Rent. 

Hey there, savvy property owner! Considering whether to go short-term furnished or long-term unfurnished? Let's chat about it in the language of real estate coolness:

Short-Term Furnished Rental
🌟The Perks:

• Fast Cash Flow: Short-term rentals often mean higher monthly rates. Cha-ching!
• Low Commitment: Flexibility is the name of the game. No need to lock yourself into a long-term deal.

The Hustle:

• Regular Maintenance and More Vacancy: Expect quick turnovers. Cleaning crews on speed dial, anyone? Cleaning costs rack up!
• Furniture Wear and Tear: Keep an eye on that stylish couch—frequent guests can be tough on furniture. 
• Wild Cards: Most renters looking on Airbnb/VRBO are not up for rigorous screening. In fact, Airbnb only allows hosts to see references and blocks all other information about the prospect, including their profile photos. On Airbnb/VRBO you don't have a formal lease agreement.
• Local Rules that Protect Renters: In Los Angeles, all residential units not subject to RSO are now protected under the City's Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. This applies after the expiration of the initial lease or 6 months of continuous occupancy, whichever comes first.
  

Long-Term Unfurnished Adventure 🛋️The Wins:

• Steady Income: Long-term leases mean consistent monthly rent. Predictable and sweet!
• Tenant Stability: Settled tenants often mean less turnover drama. No revolving door here.
• Utilities Coordination: Tenants take the reins on utilities. Less hassle for you.

The Grind:

• Furniture Investment: If you've been living there, you have to clear out the furniture. But hey, it's an investment, right?

The Bottom Line 📈Short-Term Fun: If you're up for the hustle, love a dynamic cash flow, and can handle the turnover hustle.
Long-Term Cool: If you prefer the stability, enjoy steady income, and are ready for a longer-term relationship with your property.
Most of the rentals we manage are minimum 1-year lease, and our commission percentage has to be higher for shorter than that as it's the same work out of a smaller gross lease.
It's a real estate dance, my friend. Choose the rhythm that suits your vibe. Whether you're the short-term boogie or the long-term tango, here's to smooth transactions and happy tenants! 🏡✨

Here are some steps you can take to avoid renting to fraudulent individuals:

1. Require Detailed Applications, and Check them!: Ask prospective tenants to complete a comprehensive rental application. This should include personal information, employment history, references, and previous rental history. Encourage them to provide as much details as possible. Google them! 
   
2. Verify Identity and Income: Request government-issued identification and proof of income, such as pay stubs or tax returns. Verify this information to ensure it matches the applicant's claims. Screenshots are not official.
   
3. Run Background and Credit Checks: Conduct thorough background checks and credit screenings. Look for red flags like a history of eviction, criminal records, or poor credit history. Numerous online services and tenant screening companies provide these services for a fee.
   
4. Contact References: Reach out to the applicant's previous landlords and references to verify their rental history and behavior as tenants. Ask specific questions about payment history, property upkeep, and any issues during their tenancy. Call their references! Look up their references!
   
5. Meet in Person: Schedule an in-person meeting with potential tenants. This allows you to assess their demeanor, behavior, and overall reliability. Scammers might be less willing to meet face-to-face or provide misleading information in person.
   
6. Be Wary of Red Flags: Look out for warning signs, such as reluctance to provide necessary information, inconsistent details on the application, or attempts to rush the rental process without proper documentation.
   
7. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off or doesn't add up during the screening process, don't ignore your gut feeling. Investigate further or consider moving on to other applicants.
   
8. Use a Rental Agreement: Draft a comprehensive lease agreement that clearly outlines the terms and conditions of the tenancy, including rent payments, security deposits, and tenant responsibilities. Ensure both parties thoroughly understand and agree to the terms.
   
9. Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on common rental scams and tactics used by fraudulent tenants. Being aware of potential scams can help you recognize suspicious behavior early on.
   

In countries like Mexico and Morocco, it's common for people to dispose of toilet paper in a bin, rather than flushing it down the drain due to plumbing infrastructure differences. This sounds crazy to people in Los Angeles!

In Los Angeles, flushing toilet paper down the drain is the norm. But blocked drains, clogged toilets, and the need to flush is universal!

While toilet paper is generally designed to disintegrate easily in water and is typically safe to flush, other items like tampons, "flushable wipes," and excessive amounts of toilet paper can cause plumbing issues such as clogs or blockages.
​
House rules in rental properties often advise against flushing non-biodegradable items like tampons or even "flushable wipes" to prevent potential plumbing problems. Best practice for maintaining plumbing and sewer systems is to limit the disposal of anything other than toilet paper down the drain to avoid blockages or damage to the plumbing infrastructure.

Homewood Road in Brentwood, Los Angeles, indeed encapsulates the evolution and transformation typical of affluent neighborhoods in many cities. The area's transition from older generations to newer ones often witnesses the cycle of homes being sold, demolished, and rebuilt, showcasing a shift in architectural styles and preferences.
The trend of original homeowners passing away and their properties being sold for significant sums, only to be replaced by new construction, reflects the ongoing changes in real estate markets and the desires of modern homeowners. This phenomenon is not uncommon in neighborhoods characterized by valuable real estate, where land value often surpasses the worth of existing structures.
The replacement of older homes with new constructions can indeed take various forms. Some opt for a more standardized, contemporary design, often referred to as "cookie-cutter" for its uniformity and conformity to prevailing trends. Others, however, choose to build unique and often extravagant houses, resulting in a diverse architectural landscape that may not always resonate with the original character of the neighborhood.
This process reflects the evolution of preferences, lifestyles, and design trends within affluent communities. It showcases the interplay between tradition and modernity, as well as the dynamics of real estate investment and the desire for personalized, luxurious living spaces.
Overall, this ongoing cycle of tear-downs and new constructions on Homewood Road in Brentwood mirrors the broader trends seen in upscale neighborhoods, where the landscape continually evolves to accommodate changing tastes and the aspirations of new homeowners.