Ocean Park renter Paul Raff was locked out of his condominium by sheriff’s deputies this month, culminating a five-month standoff over his beachside unit.
Sheriffs and locksmiths were called to the Wadsworth Avenue residence Aug. 16, after Raff lost a lawsuit brought against him by the new owner of the condo. But Roff refused to budge.
Bruk Vandewege, who bought the unit in March, issued Raff a 30-day notice March 21. Raff had lived in the complex for eight years.
When 30 days passed and Raff hadn’t left, Vandewege’s attorney, Gordon P. Gitlen, filed an unlawful detainer lawsuit in Santa Monica Superior Court May 6.
Raff’s attorney, Sonya Bekoff Molho, argued that Raff was protected by Santa Monica’s Tenant Ownership Rights Charter Amendment (TORCA), a now-expired amendment designed to help renters purchase their apartments, and therefore was entitled to stay.
The complex Raff lived in had been converted from apartment units to condominiums under the TORCA initiative in 1992.
But Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Julius M. Title in July ruled against Raff, saying he was not protected by TORCA because the conversion occurred before Raff moved in.
Judge Title called for the immediate eviction of Raff and demanded that he reimburse Vandewege $2,696 for his extended stay in the condo. That amount was amended to $3,504 on Aug. 2, when Raff still had not vacated the condominium.
Judge Title found that Vandewege had followed all the correct procedures — issuing a 30-day notice, offering the mandated $4,250 relocation assistance and complying with other guidelines as mandated by local and state law.
Vandewege has filed a new motion requesting reimbursement for attorney fees. He expects to win.
Raff’s attorney would not comment on the case.
Raff also refused to comment, but didn’t deny that he may appeal.
“I’m living in a new place,” he said. “And I can’t discuss anything.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 31, 2002. Read the original PDF.