In a continued effort to curb chronic nuisance activity, City Attorney Mike Feuer today announced that his office has filed criminal charges against the owner of an alleged “party house,” and property manager of another, in the Hollywood Hills. The houses allegedly have been the source of excessive noise and a multitude of ongoing nuisance activities impacting the quality of life in these neighborhoods.
“The party’s over for out-of-control nuisance houses,” said Feuer. “It’s completely unacceptable for residential homes to be rented out every few weeks for massive parties that attract hundreds of guests, blast music throughout the night and block streets, disrupting peace and quiet in our neighborhoods. My office will continue to work closely with the Los Angeles Police Department and members of the community to help restore the quality of life our residents should be entitled to expect.”
“I commend City Attorney Mike Feuer in his effort to protect the quality of life of our residential neighborhoods and prioritize public safety,” said Councilmember David Ryu.. Egregious Party Houses represent a small percentage of the homes in the hillside communities I represent, however, we must continue to assist LAPD with effective enforcement tools that will bring relief to the overwhelming majority of residents who are besieged by these inconsiderate neighbors. My office is working hand in hand with the City Attorney’s office and LAPD on new regulations that will save taxpayer dollars, streamline enforcement, and keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Kamran Younai, 46, the owner of a large single-family home located at 7842 Electra Drive, was charged with 16 criminal counts including ten counts of maintaining a public nuisance after receiving written notice and six counts of engaging in illegal short term rentals. If convicted, Younai could face up to eight years in jail and $16,000 in fines.
The complaint alleges that Younai frequently rents the property to short-term tenants, typically through Airbnb for a few days at a time. Many of the short-term tenants allegedly use the property for large scale social gatherings which generate loud noise late at night, high volumes of vehicle traffic and parked cars in the neighborhood, as well as crowds in the street. Following neighbor complaints of large and loud parties in May 2016, a cease and desist letter was sent to Youani requesting that he to discontinue all nuisance activity. A subsequent case conference was held in September 2016 to detail the nuisance activity and educate Younai on current short-term rental restrictions in Los Angeles.
Since the September 2016 case conference, at least 12 large and disruptive parties allegedly have been documented at the property as recently as August 26, 2017. Officers have observed large events with as many as 300 attendees as well as smaller gatherings with loud amplified music late at night and in the early mornings, illuminated signs, intoxicated guests, traffic congestion and street fights.
Rose Garcia, 43, the property manager of a large single-family home at 2649 La Cuesta Drive, was charged with 10 criminal counts including seven counts of maintaining a public nuisance after receiving written notice, two counts of permitting the emission and transmission of loud and raucous noise through an amplifying device, and one count of allowing excessive noise. If convicted, Garcia could face up to three years in jail and $7,000 in fines for all counts.
The complaint alleges that since March 2017, the house on La Cuesta Drive has been the source of numerous neighbor complaints about loud amplified music and other disruptive noise, often at extremely late or early morning hours, including disturbances on at least nine different dates within a single month. A cease and desist letter was sent to Garcia requested her to discontinue all nuisance activity. A subsequent case conference was held with Garcia in April 2017, at which time Garcia allegedly promised to immediately cease all nuisance activity.
Despite these warnings, nuisance activity allegedly has continued at the property. Neighbors have made complaints and officers have observed disruptive amplified music and voices at the property on at least seven different occasions since the case conference, as recently as July 2, 2017.
Arraignment for both cases is scheduled for October 6, 2017 in Department 48.
Neighborhood Prosecutor Steve Houchin has worked in partnership with LAPD and is prosecuting at both locations.
