Los Angeles city councilman moves to legalize bootleg apartments

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles City Councilman Felipe Fuentes is proposing that illegal apartments be legalized to ease the city's housing crisis. In exchange, landlords would keep them affordable.

About 2,500 illegal units have been documented within city limits, but thousands more may exist.

"Tenants have been generally evicted as these units are discovered, and that just tightens the affordable housing market, raises costs of housing for everyone," said Ken Bernstein, the principal city planner for the Los Angeles Department of City Planning.

Bernstein said the buildings would have regular inspections and there would be protections for neighbors and tenants.

Currently, landlords have to pay up to $20,000 to legalize such apartments.

"In many cases, they may not be legal, not because there is anything wrong with the units, but they may not meet our current zoning codes, particularly for parking restrictions," Bernstein said.

North Hollywood community activist Mary Garcia said she's concerned about already tight parking and doesn't believe it's right to reward landlords who have been breaking the law.

"It's not right. It's not fair," Garcia said. "We have rules. They built these apartments when there were rules in place."

In 2008, city officials discovered bootleg apartments in one West Los Angeles building. They have since been eliminated and the building has changed management.

Some current residents said they don't see a problem with un-zoned apartments.

"If no one is harmed in the process, then why not," resident Paul Duitrago said.

The proposal is expected to go to the Los Angeles City Planning Commission and City Council.