Your Management & Real Estate Group Sued for Wrongful Withholding

Esteban Escobar has filed a small claims lawsuit against Your Management & Real Estate Group, Inc. and its representative, Lianna Grigorian, alleging wrongful withholding of his security deposit, mismanagement of HACLA Section 8 payments, and failure to reimburse cleaning fees. The lawsuit involves the property at 1030 N Oxford Ave Apt. 9, Los Angeles, CA 90029.

Escobar, who vacated the apartment on September 23, 2023, claims he left the unit in a clean and undamaged state, yet the defendants have refused to return his $1,800 security deposit. He also asserts that the defendants wrongfully accepted a $1,695 payment from the HACLA Section 8 program for October 2023, despite his no longer residing in the unit. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks $300 in reimbursement for cleaning services that the landlord had agreed to cover but failed to pay.

In his complaint, Escobar alleges that living at the property became hostile due to harassment and discrimination by Your Management & Real Estate Group, Inc. and its representatives, Lianna Grigorian and Silvia Manukian, causing him significant emotional distress. He further claims that the defendants wrongfully filed an eviction case against him, despite no money being owed. Escobar believes this eviction was motivated by discrimination related to his medical disability and retaliation against him.

The property in question is owned by Hakoub A. Shirvanian, Co-Trustee of the Shirvanian Trust. Escobar also alleges that Shirvanian wrongfully engaged lawyer Isaacs Barak to file the eviction case, based on misleading information from Your Management & Real Estate Group, Inc. and its representatives. Escobar views these actions as both unethical and dishonest, further exacerbating his distress.

The small claims case was officially filed on August 13, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, under Case Number 24STSC03794: Esteban Escobar vs. Your Management & Real Estate Group, Inc., and Lianna Grigorian.

Escobar is seeking a total of $7,395.33 in damages, which includes:

• Security Deposit: $1,800, in accordance with California Civil Code Section 1950.5.
• Interest on Security Deposit: $0.33, as mandated by the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
• Cleaning Costs: $300, for cleaning services performed on April 23 and June 23, 2023.
• Section 8 Payment for October 2023: $1,695, for the wrongful acceptance of rent after his departure.
• Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: Up to $3,600, as permitted under California Civil Code Section 1950.5 for bad faith actions by the landlord.

In addition to the financial damages, Escobar alleges that the landlord's representatives failed to perform their duties, creating a hostile living environment characterized by harassment and discrimination, which contributed to his emotional distress.

This case underscores the legal and ethical issues surrounding landlord-tenant disputes, particularly regarding the rights of tenants under California law.

Sources: https://www.prlog.org/13035467...

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