On May 22, 2025, the West Hollywood Rent Stabilization Commission (RSC) partially affirmed and partially reversed a Hearing Examiner’s decision in appeal D-5006, granting tenants Fabienne Rigaud and Brent Winter at 1125 N. Vista St. a revised rent reduction of $277 per month. The decision addressed five issues raised by the tenants—storage shed, parking space, ceiling fan/light fixture, lack of heat, and lack of gardener—while navigating a contentious relationship with their landlord, Lux Management II, LLC.
The tenants, who have resided at the property since 2015, sought redress for multiple reductions in housing services after the new owner took over in 2024. The Hearing Examiner initially awarded a $127 monthly reduction: $15 for the ceiling fan/light fixture, $89 for the lack of heat, and $23 for the gardener as a common area issue, but denied claims for the storage shed and parking space. Both parties appealed, with the landlord arguing the shed remained in place and the gardener was provided, while the tenants contested the denial of the shed and parking reductions.
Fabienne Rigaud expressed frustration over the storage shed, a critical extension of their small unit since 2015. “When [the new landlord] acquired the property… I sent him so many emails trying to convince him to leave us alone, to leave that shed,” she said, noting they were forced to remove their belongings by November 2022. The RSC reversed the Hearing Examiner’s denial, finding the shed distinct from the garage addressed in D-4987, and awarded a $150 reduction based on its market value and impact on the tenants. Vice Chair Frank D Rorie Jr. affirmed, “It was clearly a service that was taken away… a rent reduction has to go with that.”
The parking space claim was denied, as it was already addressed in D-4987, despite tenant Brent Winter’s confusion: “We don’t understand how the decision in 5006 refers to a decision made in 4987.” The RSC upheld the reductions for the ceiling fan, heat, and gardener, subject to the landlord’s right to file for a compliance determination. Brent clarified the ongoing heat issue, stating, “Rodents have infiltrated the ducts in [the] common area attic space… we have taped up all of the vents in the ceiling to avoid contamination.” The landlord, represented by Brian Tannenbaum, countered that access to the attic through the tenants’ closet was denied, a claim the tenants refuted, citing an external entry point.
The RSC’s deliberations highlighted the procedural nuances of West Hollywood’s rent stabilization laws. Commissioner Kimberly Copeland noted, “A lot of this could be solved with compliance determinations,” referring to the process where landlords can request a rent restoration after resolving issues. Chair Adam G Bass emphasized the commission’s limited scope: “The way we are forced to look at this is, did the hearing examiner make a reasonable decision with the evidence they had.” The unanimous decision to adopt resolution RSC 25-683 reflected a balance between tenant rights and landlord remedies.
For West Hollywood residents, this case underscores the complexity of dual appeals and the importance of clear communication between tenants and landlords. The RSC encouraged mediation to improve the acrimonious relationship, with Bass noting, “We really want our landlords and tenants to get along… it’s people’s living situation, it’s people’s business.” Until resolved, the $277 reduction offers the tenants relief while the landlord pursues compliance measures.
The article has been corrected from an earlier version.
