Los Angeles evictions take around 1 year to get a court hearing and 2 months plus, for the sheriff lock out. But I just got another blow from the system. In this eviction 3 L.A. Free Legal Centers got my tenant 1 years free rent and free utilities also. With an agreement accepted by the court, my tenant was supposed to have vacated by the end of last month. She is still there with a smile on her face. Not going anywhere. Why? I was ordered by the Judge to give this tenant $18,000 in additional relocation funds, before the move out. Then the tenant would be out by 7/31/2024.

I just found out that of the $18,000 relocation funds paid for the tenant to leave by 7/31/2024, she only got $2,000. The balance of $16,000 went to the three free legal aid attorneys, Some to the Housing Department and some to the Mayor office.

Didn't you mention private security people once?

Before the Pandemic, all of your thought and ways to get someone out "MAY" have worked. But THREE (3) trained attorneys that rely on a cut of the relocations funds will not allow me one inch of play in any direction. First they have contacted Building and Safety, and my house was Blue tagged, not red tagged, so the tenant could stay but I was ordered to demolish additions without permits. I had permits so I told the city to F off and take me to court. The city removed my permits from the computer system and cut out two clips from the micro fish saying my so called permits don't exist. I have certified copies and video of the inspector reviewing my work, signing the pass section of he inspection card.

This city is so down on landlords it's not funny.

ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE SEVERAL ADVANCED MARTIAL ARTS BELTS (Some from Bill Super Foot Wallace) and other known champions, and have several State CCW weapons carry permits, the police, sheriff and City attorney haven't tried to re-arrest me. Intimidation..is there MO. And I have 7 State Contacting Licenses, Several Federal and City licenses too. When the judge is told I have not complied to violations, I challenge the City to produce experts against my expertise.

Hey, y'all:

Do you see the last part of that last post?

You should understand that Robert enjoys the drama, the challenge, the bravissimo that goes with it all.

His posts here are basically brags about how tough he is to withstand and stand up to - even challenge & dare - all the authorities in LA.

(I am NOT saying the laws there are right!)

RJ is a legend in his own mind.

Not only in my mind. But working for over 45 years building up my small real estate holdings, then have government, attorneys, City Counsel, the City Attorney, Business like CVS, Waste Management and others get rich by steeling my assets,etc. I can not take it any more. I will now have to fight the Protected (By the Mayor, City Counsel and State Senators) -- fire with fire.

When I was in the Jewelry Trade the same things happened. Only by hitting below the belt did I get satisfaction. I can no longer play by the rules.

Soon those who screwed me over to only Make Money, now will have the same happen to them, times 100 (x-100). The only way to teach those who bend the rules to their satisfaction.

The City says that my single family homes are a Duplex because I added a shop in a garage for a tenant. Now they can impose other regulations. Things like that.

I have a massed a small artisanal to take revenge. You think I'm only talking. Well the City Attorney know what they are doing to me and say, "We are here to enforce laws against landlord, not here to help them.." The police are told, shred my reports against the City.

Robert, catch a clue. The real estate economy has begun the slow turn south. Cash out and reinvest in a more stable state like maybe South Dakota, Missouri, Oklahoma or Texas.

Jason, he is a jeweler tho.

My guess is that he is also a journeyman ironworker, he just doesn't like to brag.

Robert J, What price would you put on piece of mind?

I have a partner that wisely told me... "we need to own the buildings, not let the buildings own us".

He and I both have heeded his advice, and when we've had a property or two that affected our mental well-being... we've let 'em go.

Let some of these properties go, Robert.

Robert I believe you are indeed a real estate ninja in your own right. But you are refusing the change. Guess what, the systems and market place is changing for you. Hate to tell you - You simply do not have a choice now.

You are an outstanding example for others who do not want to change. Ignoring or denying what is and has gone one in your own back yard hasn't worked well.

I acknowledge that change is difficult and it has to be managed. Perhaps you can meet up with Bruce Norris and he can assist you with moving your assets to more friendly locations. Where you absolutely have the capability to make the necessary changes to your portfolio, you are electing not to. Without changing, why do you suppose you are getting the same results?

So I guess there is only one thing left to say.

I am sorry, how can I help?

Add me to the list -

I'm a little confused on how big Robert J is.

In this thread, he says that he worked decades to build up his "small real estate holdings". In another, he says that he has over 100 units himself plus hundreds of others in partnership.

So, he says that he has "small real estate holdings", but may actually be one of the biggest landlords on this forum.

Maybe so, but the big guy said a while back that

I heard he was the real deal just recently, but his actions do not follow.

He could teach so much if he would pull the BS and toss it.

So many newcomers here might start believing the stuff he lays out. That is what I fear.

Despite the brags, which are unnecessary, I can't believe what the city of LA and their crazy rules are doing here. Not only to Robert J, but to all the land owners.

It doesn't sound like you've played your cards right Robert and that's why you're getting the backlash here. BUT, you don't deserve this treatment. If these things happened to any of us, we would be absolutely livid.

The city has no ground to stand on. You gotta get out. Regain control of your ship, take the losses and start acquiring assets in another location. You know that you're backed into a corner. If half of what you've described is true, that is just bonkers how anti landlord the temperature is out there. Sorry you are going through it.

I have learned a lot from your posts, and also raised a few eyebrows be cause your tone often overdoes it. But you have added a lot here and you clearly have built an empire over the years that we all respect. It sucks seeing this happen in real time.

The writing is on the wall though. Your tenants know they can play the system and you don't have any leverage in the courts. The rules are stacked against you. With no justice, you are asking for misery.

Despite the brags, which are unnecessary, I can't believe what the city of LA and their crazy rules are doing here. Not only to Robert J, but to all the land owners.

It doesn't sound like you've played your cards right Robert and that's why you're getting the backlash here. BUT, you don't deserve this treatment. If these things happened to any of us, we would be absolutely livid.

The city has no ground to stand on. You gotta get out. Regain control of your ship, take the losses and start acquiring assets in another location. You know that you're backed into a corner. If half of what you've described is true, that is just bonkers how anti landlord the temperature is out there. Sorry you are going through it.

I have learned a lot from your posts, and also raised a few eyebrows be cause your tone often overdoes it. But you have added a lot here and you clearly have built an empire over the years that we all respect. It sucks seeing this happen in real time.

The writing is on the wall though. Your tenants know they can play the system and you don't have any leverage in the courts. The rules are stacked against you. With no justice, you are asking for misery.

Despite the brags, which are unnecessary, I can't believe what the city of LA and their crazy rules are doing here. Not only to Robert J, but to all the land owners.

It doesn't sound like you've played your cards right Robert and that's why you're getting the backlash here. BUT, you don't deserve this treatment. If these things happened to any of us, we would be absolutely livid.

The city has no ground to stand on. You gotta get out. Regain control of your ship, take the losses and start acquiring assets in another location. You know that you're backed into a corner. If half of what you've described is true, that is just bonkers how anti landlord the temperature is out there. Sorry you are going through it.

I have learned a lot from your posts, and also raised a few eyebrows be cause your tone often overdoes it. But you have added a lot here and you clearly have built an empire over the years that we all respect. It sucks seeing this happen in real time.

The writing is on the wall though. Your tenants know they can play the system and you don't have any leverage in the courts. The rules are stacked against you. With no justice, you are asking for misery.

For what it's worth, I'm in northern california with several rentals, but I started in the LA area and I still know many investors in LA, both small and big-time. None of them have ever had any bit of the types of troubles that RJ claims....not even a fraction of what RJ claims.

Many years ago a landlord forgot to give his departed tenant a list of repairs and costs--for deposit deductions. It was after the 22 day period, like 30 plus days. That landlord asked from Mr. Landlord for advice.

There were a number of L.A. landlords who responded and others from around the country. Everyone gave a good answer, but NON OF THEM WAS RIGHT! My answer was different. Everyone said I was an idiot!

My response, Unless you asked your tenant if they wanted a 2 week pre move-out inspection, and they declined (in writing), then your best solution is to give your tenant 100% of their full deposit back. Get them to sing a release.

Almost 50 to 80 responded they never heard of a before move out inspection (PRE MOVE OUT), and that the landlord should now itemize the damages and only refund what was due/fair.

So that landlord, not taking my advice because I a ma idiot, let their tenant sue. It went to small claims court.

The judge asked the owner/landlord, did you request from your tenant a 2 week pre-move out inspection. The landlord said no!

Then the judge asked the tenant what happened, not damage but with their deposit. The tenant said that after 10 they called the landlord about their deposit and was told to call back after the 22 days were up. Then the tenant called the landlord again on the 22 day, 25 day and 31st day. Then they filed suit.

The judge asked how much in the deposit, Tenant said, $1,200. So the judge entered in favor of the tenant $1,200 in damages and three that for not following the procedure. An additional $3,600. A total of $4,800 plus filling fees.

So this poor landlord, after a couple of months, told his story that Robert J ca was right and he lost close to $5,000 because no one else knew this market and new laws.

In Roberts defense,

Copilot

Sent by Copilot:

I don't think you are an idiot at all, Robert J. I'm not sure anyone is really saying that. I also think you are aware of the laws in the area.

Where things fall apart are not your knowledge on things. It falls apart on the details in your story and how you get into the situations that you do.

There are lots of landlords on this forum who are knowledgeable about the laws and regulations. But most of them seem to also have the skill to work within those laws (some pushing them, at bit, of course) without getting into constant arguments with every governmental official, inspector, and so on that they come across.

Also, instead of just relying on your knowledge and facts to convey a story -- so that we could just trust that you know what you are doing -- you feel this need to make everything into a big story about how the world is against you first. We don't need the huge setups for you to tell us something that you're having issues with.

And, finally, there are certainly issues where what you say one day does not seem to line up the next. You can't argue you're a small-time landlord that the government should just ignore with their attacks on mom-and-pop landlords -- and then, a day different, talk about how you have hundreds of units -- both owned personally and with many partners. Sorry, but that's not a "mom-and-pop small-time landlord" like you've implied before.

So, again, I do not think you are an idiot at all. But I do think that you embellish things -- possibly to make it more fun to ready -- but in a way that comes off wrong here now. It used to work until too many people caught on...

No, almost everyone here on Mr. Landlord have hard learned experiences that they are willing to share and we all appreciative and grateful.

But in my case I'm a oddball. I purchased my first rental, a Canoga Park 3+2 with a heated pool, but the house only came with a swamp cooler, on my 18th Birthday (offer accepted closed escrow in less than 60 days). Cheap and just what the doctor ordered. Aerospace was booming in the late 1970's and on my first open house to rent, 55 married couples were moving from AZ, CO, NM to L.A. and wanted a pool house. That's 1 in 4 renters.

I was in the Jewelry Trade, from age 14. Making Money selling tools, findings and then finally my own jewelry line. I purchased real estate because at that time, property was depreciated over a 15 year period, unlike today, it's 27.5 years or residential property.I needed a tax write off and real estate had depreciation, write off's, appreciation and potential to improve.

I only got my first contracting licenses because I had to butt heads with City Officials. Each inspector wanted me to do inferior work-- just do it there way. I knew the difference between good workmanship and doing something that could jeopardize tenants safety. My first house had a large living room with one wall with floor to ceiling windows -- that 8 feet tall and 25 feet wide wall of windows. So because there were children, I replace the window pane glass with impact safe plastic. I also installed interior bars to kids couldn't walk into the windows and get hurt. So big deal bars that stood 30 inches off the ground. The city ordered me to remove the bars or install quick release. This was not a bedroom and codes didn't call for that. So I got my contracting license and sued the City AND WON.

So my stories here are sometimes crazy. Between my 100 apartment rentals (I have more) and my single family homes, I but heads with the city often. At least once a month for big stuff.

With my 250+ units in partnership partners wouldn't listen how to install a vapor barrier before tile. They hired a company, licensed expired with no insurance. Spent around $1.5M, only to have them all leak. Now with drywall damage and mold, it cost close to $4m to do it again but right.

I purchased a small building with my parents and brother, each of us had 1/3 ownership. My brother wanted to paint the building, it was yellow. But we needed a new roof now. So one day I drove to the property for maintenance and found it painted. The painter did not clean the surface, pressure wash or prime everywhere. He only used a hose and gave it a rinse. The paint began to peal right away. With the $4,000 they spent on doing the painting wrong, they had no funds to install the new roof. When it rained we had plaster damage to the tune of $40,000.

So I share my stories so those who have stupid partners or tenants that are a pain, with City official on their backs -- you can understand your problems are noting compare to the corrupt Los Angeles City Officials.

Sames goes for West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Culver City, West L.A., Venice, Marian Del Rey and others....

OK Robert. If you have the background and know the trades why do you insist upon telling so many obviously fake stories?

That is what ruins it for me (and a lot of others on this board). When I first started lurking here I read some of your posts. I even took notes a few times. Then it all went to hell. Some of the things you claim to have done are dangerous to do. Some are not financially responsible at all. But most of them are so ridiculous I believe that it hurts the integrity of this wonderful community.

If you are capable of backing away from the obvious story telling and can fixate on the actual things that happened it would be a welcome change.

Think about the people that are coming here the first time who are asking for help. Whether it be with a project, an unruly tenant or even a government official.

Now think about you telling them that you pulled an uzi on a SWAT team, or kicked a judge in the head. Even when you claimed you engraved all 9 volt batteries for smoke detectors and then a fire happened and you found the kids toy with your engraved battery in it.

I could go on and on even more about the stories that you have told that were beyond silly. Some of the things you suggested that were dangerous to do.

There are certainly platforms out there for you to spew your nonsense. Places where things that are made up or over the top are welcomed. But honestly, I do not see this being the place for that.

None of the stores are fake! Being a contractor and landlord for 45 years, takes me to many places and many experiences. Having over 100 clients who themselves are landlords, and driving 6 days a week from my rentals to clients making repairs, remodeling and also being clients back up manager -- give them time to travel and be with their families.

I have done over 20,000 jobs in my time and at least 1 in 100 have issues resulting in stories told here.

Think about this. If you only had 20 rentals, then you'd have an issue now and then. I have my own 100 plus tenants and another few hundred in partnership. Plus my clients tenants too.

Like when someone blocks in my truck, van or car. I ask them to move and they curse at me. I call the owner and what are they going to do. So I call Parking Control and the police. But it takes over a hour to get a 911 operator. Parking Control says they will be there in 1 to 4 hours.

So your answer is to keep spewing lies.

That part I believe.

I guess these are the parts of the stories that I either don't believe -- or feel that they are just dumb:

"So I take my vehicle winch and a blocking rig an drag the car"

Sorry, but THAT is why you're always having trouble with the local authorities about regulations and crap. Because you just do whatever you want and then complain when they do whatever they want with your rentals. You don't even try to "play nice" from what I've seen.

When someone basically goes "911 takes too long, so I hooked up a winch and pulled their car out of the way", it comes off as some sort of weird Alpha Male bragging that doesn't sound nearly as cool as you think it does.

Now, I'll grant that many here -- even me sometimes -- have the attitude of "Ok, well, let's work around these stupid regulations as best we can." So, I get that -- and I'm fine with that. But there is a big difference between working around regulations you don't like -- and just stepping all over the rules and laws and then complaining that they treat you poorly during inspections and such.

Most of us have learned to play well with others. It doesn't sound like you have.