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# Construction sends tenant packing
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/construction-sends-tenant-packing/
- Published: 2002-09-16T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T00:44:15.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Real Estate & Housing, Santa Monica, #archive-import

A Santa Monica woman who sued her landlord for $4,700 in excessive rent will not be reimbursed for what she called exorbitant rates.

Monica Ballard, who received $6,390 in discounts due to inconveniences associated with remodeling to the upstairs unit of her Santa Monica duplex, told the court she deserved further compensation for living in “slum conditions.”

Ballard vacated the rental on Aug. 15 as part of an unlawful detainer settlement in July which granted her two and a half months of free rent, as well as reduced rental rates for previous months. The settlement also guaranteed that she would receive her security deposit in full.

Because Ballard and landlords Sylvia Aroth and Jeff Cook had agreed to the conditions in the settlement agreement, Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Pro Tem Michael R. Graham ruled against Ballard on the new claim.

“There had already been a judgment,” Judge Graham said. “And the defendants had a right to believe that that was the understanding.”

Ballard will not recover her court costs. The ruling concluded an almost year-long saga between the landlords and Ballard. At one point, Ballard became angry when workmen used her parking space and borrowed her garden hose while working on the upstairs unit. She responded by spraying water into the newly remodeled apartment, damaging cabinetry and floors, according to police reports.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 16, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/091602.pdf?ref=smdp.com)