The Barrington Plaza Tenants Association is seeking a court order to compel a prominent member of Barrington Pacific LLC to provide deposition testimony on crucial matters, such as the future use and occupancy of the Wilshire Boulevard building. The tenants’ lawyers filed court documents with Judge Jill Feeney, outlining the five areas they wish to explore with the company’s “person most knowledgeable,” a legal term used for individuals appointed by corporations and government agencies to testify on their behalf. The plaintiffs’ lawyers express that the defense counsel has so far avoided communicating with them about rescheduling the deposition of Barrington Pacific’s PMK.
Among the topics the tenants’ lawyers want to address during the deposition are the total number of tenants at Barrington as of May 8 and the quantity of units where at least one resident has exercised their right to extend their lease for one year. Barrington’s attorneys argue in their court documents that the plaintiffs’ lawyers unilaterally scheduled the deposition without considering the schedules of opposing counsel and the deponent. They propose to meet and confer with the tenants’ counsel to find a mutually agreeable date for the deposition. A hearing is scheduled for November 27 to address the plaintiffs’ motion to compel the deposition.
The lawsuit was filed on June 12 after the owners announced their plans to close the 712-unit West Los Angeles complex to all renters. The complex has experienced two fires in the past decade, one of which resulted in the tragic death of a 19-year-old foreign exchange student. The purpose of the closure is to renovate the buildings with fire sprinklers and other safety upgrades. The complaint is centered around a state law called the Ellis Act, which allows landlords to evict tenants if they intend to remove the units from the rental market. However, the lawsuit claims that the rent-controlled property owner, Douglas Emmett Inc., is violating the law and misusing it to justify the eviction of tenants.
Barrington Plaza’s spokesperson, Eric Rose, stated in a previous communication with City News Service that they have received the action filed by some tenants and are currently reviewing the claims. He emphasized that Barrington Plaza is following the rules outlined by the Ellis Act and the city’s implementing ordinances. They are uncertain about the ultimate fate of the units and are considering various options, including rehabilitating the complex to comply with fire and life safety regulations. If the units were to be reintroduced to the rental market, the owner would fulfill all obligations towards former tenants as mandated by state and local rules.
The tenant lawsuit argues that the landlord can carry out the necessary safety upgrades without permanently displacing them. The majority of the building’s tenants consist of retirees, working-class individuals, white-collar workers, and students.
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