Even landlords of high-priced rentals are not without their share of headaches from tenants.
Richard Lewis, the owner of a Santa Monica Canyon home, sued his former tenant for $5,000 on Monday.
He claims his tenant, Earl Greenburg, who paid about a quarter of a million dollars in rent over four years, left substantial damage when he moved out.
Santa Monica Small Claims Pro Tem Judge Richard Shutan awarded Lewis $2,500, after he showed that significant damage was done to the home’s hardwood floors and oak doors. Lewis said water damage from a potted plant had ruined a portion of the floor in the living room and the doors were gouged, among other damages. He estimated the total damage cost him $13,000 in repairs.
When Greenburg — who used the home as a corporate rental for his business — moved out in January, Lewis kept the $11,000 security deposit, minus the last month’s rent of $5,250.
Because Greenburg moved out a month early, Lewis took part of the security deposit as the final rent payment.
He took Greenburg to court to collect the remaining $5,000 but judge pro tem Shutan only awarded a partial payment because Lewis couldn’t prove what his costs were to repair the damage.
Duncan Murray, the vice president of business affairs for Transactional Marketing Partners, which is owned by Greenburg, said the business shouldn’t have to pay the entire amount because Lewis didn’t get competitive bids for the repairs and often times he went with the more expensive contractor.
Apparently Judge Pro Tem Shutan agreed and only awarded half of the claim.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 18, 2002. Read the original PDF.