Long Beach landlord pleads guilty to illegal rentals

A Long Beach landlord pleaded guilty to multiple building code violations in Long Beach City Court on May 31, including illegal room rentals and the existence of a commercial business in a residentially zoned area.

After pleading guilty to all charges, Omar Arana — the owner of 149 W. Chester St. — was sentenced to pay a fine of $10,000 pursuant to a plea agreement for violations of the City of Long Beach Code of Ordinances, filed in February. 

“Illegal housing endangers quality of life, overburdens our infrastructure, and creates parking problems,” said City Councilman Scott Mandel. “We hope that the record fine and tough enforcement actions taken are a clear demonstration of the administration’s resolve when dealing with this important issue, and a deterrent to anyone considering illegally renting their property in the future.”

In January, the city’s building department was notified of possible building code violations at the Long Beach home. Upon arriving on the scene, zoning inspector Richard Schuh, accompanied by Long Beach Police, inspected the premises with Arana.

Officials told the Herald in February that up to 15 people were living in the two-family home, where they said Arana was charging approximately $560 per month for the nine rooms to help pay his $4,000 monthly mortgage.

The city added that Arana, who was collecting a STAR exemption for the property to reduce his county taxes, was allegedly also using the basement to house his landscaping business, a separate violation. This led to commercial vehicles illegally parking in a residential zone on a regular basis, officials said.

Arana was summonsed, arrested, and arraigned by City Court Judge Frank DiKranis. Gregory Kalnitsky, the city’s assistant corporation counsel, handled the prosecution, and was supervised by Corporation Counsel Robert Agostisi.