LOS ANGELES, Oct 8, (Agencies): A peculiar situation has unfolded in Los Angeles, where an Airbnb guest has been residing in a luxurious guest house without paying rent for over a year and a half. The guest, Elizabeth Hirschhorn, was initially supposed to conclude her Airbnb stay in April 2022, but she has steadfastly refused to vacate the premises unless the homeowner, Sascha Jovanovic, compensates her with a relocation fee of $100,000, as stated in a settlement offer.

The reason behind this unusual predicament lies in the complex housing laws of Los Angeles. A judge has ruled that Jovanovic lacks a legal basis to evict Hirschhorn from the property, situated in the Crestwood Hills neighborhood of Brentwood. This is primarily due to the city's rent stabilization laws, although it's worth noting that Jovanovic is currently appealing this ruling. Los Angeles recently enacted the Just Cause Ordinance, which mandates that landlords must have a legitimate reason to evict a tenant, or else they must provide relocation assistance.

Hirschhorn's attorney, Colin Walshok, has argued that she was not obligated to pay rent because the property had never received official approval for occupancy from the city. Furthermore, he contended that the guest house's shower had been constructed without the necessary permit.

In contrast, Jovanovic's attorney, Sebastian Rucci, has referred to Hirschhorn as "the tenant from hell" and expressed concerns that if her perspective prevails, it could set a dangerous precedent where tenants can stay rent-free in unpermitted dwellings indefinitely.

Walshok countered these claims, dismissing them as "vicious fake news." He also emphasized that the rental arrangement between Hirschhorn and Jovanovic extended beyond the Airbnb platform, contradicting the notion of a mere six-month lease. Furthermore, Walshok clarified that he solely represents Hirschhorn regarding Jovanovic's complaint against her and that she is separately represented in her claim for damages.

Rucci has steadfastly rejected Hirschhorn's arguments in court, accusing her of making false claims to delay her eviction, harass the landlord, and demand exorbitant sums to vacate the property. He pointed out the contradiction in Hirschhorn's position, where she argues that the unpermitted shower makes the unit illegal but simultaneously claims the right to reside in it rent-free.

Rucci also highlighted the ongoing housing crisis in Los Angeles and asserted that well-intentioned landlords, like Sascha Jovanovic, who offer their properties to help alleviate the issue, could be discouraged from doing so due to cases like Hirschhorn's.

Jovanovic, who has owned the property since 1995, commissioned architect Lorcan O’Herlihy to design his dream home in 2010. In 2019, he began renting out the guest house on Airbnb. According to his complaint, Hirschhorn refused to allow him access to the guest house to make necessary repairs and address code violations, leaving him feeling unsafe in his own home.

The dispute between Jovanovic and Hirschhorn continues, with legal battles and the intricacies of Los Angeles housing laws adding complexity to this unusual situation.