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Residents say Tenant Protection Act failed to stop defective notices in South Coast Highway complex
Summary
Several tenants and advocates told council that 9 households at 2200 South Coast Highway received defective ‘termination for substantial remodel’ notices that did not match pulled permits or city records; they said only seven notices were posted online and requested the city improve enforcement and portal accuracy.
At the July 22 meeting, multiple residents from an apartment complex at 2200 South Coast Highway told Laguna Beach City Council they face displacement after receiving termination-of-tenancy notices labeled "substantial remodel," and they criticized the city's process for accepting and posting such notices.
Resident Lisa Nordholm told council that nine households received termination notices dated July 14; her attorney later obtained a demand letter that led the owner to reissue corrected notices dated July 21. Nordholm said the July 14 notices described a scope of work inconsistent with permits on file (including work that was not permitted) and that only seven of the original notices had been posted to the city’s public portal. Several units still lacked posted, corrected notices after more than a week, Nordholm said, and one tenant is elderly and disabled.
Other tenants at the microphone, including Jewel Sawinski and Kathy Salimi, described the emotional and financial stress of receiving a notice that they believed was defective. They said city staff told them the matter was civil and that the city cannot substitute for private legal counsel. Councilmember Whelan noted the council had previously enacted a local ordinance that requires landlords to file termination‑of‑tenancy notices with the city and suggested staff follow up to ensure the city’s submitted notices match permits and unit counts.
City staff said the tenant-protection ordinance was intended to create transparency and a civil remedy consistent with state law; staff advised the council that the city’s portal and intake processes will be reviewed and that staff will contact the affected tenants and property owner to verify the corrected notices are filed and posted. Several residents asked council to consider proactive verification — for example, checking notice content against building permits before posting — to protect tenants who cannot afford private legal counsel. Councilmembers urged staff to contact the tenants and the property owner and to report back on whether additional city enforcement or procedural changes are warranted.
No formal action or vote was taken; council requested staff follow up on the specific cases and to report back to council with recommended process improvements.
