Rent control board looks to settle with apartment owner
The Santa Monica Rent Control Board has sued a landlord for failing to prove that she’s renting to low-income tenants.
The lawsuit filed in Santa Monica Court targets Sunnie Han, who owns a 14-unit apartment complex at 1328 Euclid Street. The suit claims she hasn’t fulfilled her obligation to prove that she is renting two of her units to low-income residents.
As a participant in the city’s incentive housing program, Han is required to rent at least two of her apartments under affordable guidelines, city officials said.
But attempting to charge Han of her alleged infractions proved to be nearly impossible for the board's attorney, Doug Willis.
He couldn’t find Han for more than five months — from June to October of last year.
He tried serving Han with the lawsuit at her apartment complex, her home, her Los Angeles office and finally at her attorney’s office. But all attempts were unsuccessful.
Willis showed up in Santa Monica Superior Court late last month to convince the court to order Han to make her next two vacant apartments available for low-income tenants.
When contacted by the Daily Press, Han’s attorney, Henry T. Heuer, said his client is easily accessible. Han has been doing business in Santa Monica unaware that the Rent Control Board is after her.
“Nobody is hiding from anyone,”
Heuer said. “This is ridiculous. If they have questions, they should call me. I have been practicing law in the same Century City office for 25 years and I’m not hard to find.”
The suit alleges that Han is delinquent in providing the necessary paperwork showing that low-income residents live in her building.
Heuer said city attorneys contacted him six months ago about a possible lawsuit against Han, but nobody followed up with the complaint so he assumed the matter was settled.
Willis, who works part-time for the board, wouldn’t comment because he is trying to settle with Han out of court.
“We’re still going forward with it,” he said. “But at this point, I’m hoping this is going to settle.”
Heuer said the rent control board may have a personal vendetta against his client, adding Han is the subject of a smear campaign waged by the city.
“I have known Ms. Han for years and she is an honorable and decent person,” Heuer said. “The city of Santa Monica is on a campaign to ruin her reputation.”
Han didn’t return messages by the Daily Press seeking comment for this story.
Willis would not say whether suing Han was part of a new policy shift by the board when it comes to enforcing its rules. But the suit may be the first of its kind levied by the Rent Control Board, he said.
“We don’t file that many lawsuits,” he said. “I couldn’t tell you if it indicates anything.”
Willis said the majority of landlords that signed contracts with the Rent Control Board to participate in the incentive housing program have fulfilled their affordable housing obligations.
Han’s case has been moved to the Beverly Hills Superior Court. It is scheduled to be heard next month, attorneys said.
“That was the court's action,” said Willis. “It wasn’t due to a request by the parties.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 25, 2002. Read the original PDF.