West Hollywood commission affirms hearing examiner in tenant's refrigerator complaint; vote 7-0

The West Hollywood Rent Stabilization Commission on Jan. 22 affirmed a hearing examiner's decision in appeal DD-5049 brought by former tenant Luis Alexander Mejia, voting 7-0 to adopt Resolution RSC-26-701.

Legal counsel Natalie Camarena told the commission that Mejia filed a rent-decrease application on June 5, 2025, alleging a malfunctioning refrigerator and seeking reimbursement for spoiled food, lost wages and time spent preparing for the hearing. The hearing examiner held a hearing on July 28, 2025, and issued a decision on Nov. 10, 2025, finding the tenant had not met the burden of proof that the refrigerator malfunctioned or caused a qualifying reduction in housing services. "Staff recommends affirming the hearing examiner's decision," Camarena told the commission, noting the record did not include inspection reports, maintenance logs or other objective documentation establishing a refrigerator failure.

During his five-minute presentation, Mejia described multiple inspections he said were in the hearing file'Section 8 inspections, an LA County public-health inspection, and city code-compliance notes'and said the refrigerator's condition caused him to seek emergency-room care and rehabilitation. "There is evidence in there. You just have to look at the report," Mejia said. He urged commissioners to review the materials he said were part of the hearing record.

Commissioners and counsel examined the process question: whether additional materials Mejia referenced were before the hearing examiner. Counsel reported that a flash drive containing non-audio/video materials was submitted on Nov. 25, 2025, after the July 28 hearing; under the hearing notice and evidentiary rules those post-hearing digital files could not be considered on appeal. Commissioners repeatedly expressed sympathy for Mejia's account but said the commission'under the applicable standard of review'is limited to the evidence the hearing examiner had and may not reweigh the record. "I am really sympathetic to the tenant's plight here," Chair Rory said, "but I'm constrained by the process and the rules of evidence."

Counsel also cited valuation guidance for appliance-related rent adjustments, explaining that refrigerator deductions generally fall in a modest range depending on condition and other factors and that any remedy would be calculated for the duration the issue was found to have occurred. Commissioners noted Mejia moved out Aug. 14, 2025, which would limit the period for any rent reduction.

Chair Rory moved to adopt Resolution RSC-26-701 affirming the hearing examiner's decision as to application DD-5049; Vice Chair Goldman seconded. The clerk called the roll: Commissioners Bass, Copeland, Kirpis, McCafferty, Topchen, Vice Chair Goldman and Chair Rory all voted "Aye." The motion passed, 7-0.

Camara and staff advised that where a monetary remedy is owed to a former tenant and the landlord cannot be resolved through the Rent Stabilization Division process, the tenant would need to pursue a civil remedy (for example, small claims) to collect any awarded amounts.

The commission closed testimony after deliberations and moved to other agenda items. The meeting was adjourned to its next regular meeting, scheduled for Feb. 12, 2026, at West Hollywood Park Council Chambers.