LA renters stuck at home are fed up with ‘disruptive’ construction projects

Water shutoffs and dust are pushing renters to the edge

Renters across LA are at their wits end with construction and renovations (Credit: iStock)
Renters across LA are at their wits end with construction and renovations (Credit: iStock)

On top of being out of work and dealing with the stresses of life amid a pandemic, many tenants in Los Angeles find themselves at the mercy of disruptive renovations and construction in their buildings.

The state deemed construction work essential last week, allowing work to continue across the state. Tenants say renovation work endangers themselves as well as workers, according to the L.A. Times.

Echo Park renter Kevin Contreras told the Times the water has been shut off repeatedly in his building, owned by TriWest Development. That makes it difficult if not impossible for him and his family to shower and wash their hands.

Residents told the outlet that they also fear leaving their unit and coming into close contact with construction workers regularly coming in and out of their building. Other renters worry that dust from renovations is particularly dangerous considering COVID-19 attacks respiratory systems.

Sign Up for the undefined Newsletter

By signing up, you agree to TheRealDeal Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

(TriWest, run by Omer Ivanir, Blake Overend and Bryce Overend, did not respond to requests for comment.)

Los Feliz resident Jackie Gonzalez-Durruthy told the Times that all of the noise from construction in her building has made it difficult for her husband to work because his job requires recording videos.
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced guidelines meant ensure safety and cleanliness at construction sites.

Most of the measures aim to keep workers at least six feet away from each other to hopefully mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The order also requires that sick workers stay home.
Garcetti said city officials would inspect sites across the city and would “not be shy about shutting down construction sites that do not comply” with the order. [LAT]Dennis Lynch