Animal Hoarding Degrades Historic Home and Threatens the Health and Safety of Neighbors
The same architect behind the UCLA Medical Center designed and resided in this 3-story Tudor home. Once the pinnacle of its block, it boasted exceptional craftsmanship and captivating grounds featuring trees bearing grapefruit, avocados, pecans, and oranges. But decades later, it had fallen into the hands of a compulsive hoarder whose mental illness included the acquisition of an estimated 40-80 cats that roamed the property; they used dirt in the basement as a litter box and the acrid smell proved overwhelming to inspectors. Even after initial cleanups, the stench permeated the property, particularly following rainfall that dampened the basement. The original builder’s niece, married at the property in 1972, burst into tears when she saw the extent of its demise.
Photos of the property after the initial clean-out, but before renovation work:
Receivership is Used to Bring this Beautiful Tudor Home Back to Life
With the home in such abject disrepair, the City petitioned the Superior Court to appoint Mark Adams and California Receivership Group as the receiver under the California Health and Safety Code. Our mission: to restore this 70-year-old home back to its glorious heyday and rescue it from the destructive habits that left it a shell of its former self. The task wasn’t easy. The owner’s hoarding led to severe structural damage as well as dangers to the neighborhood; the alarming amount of cat urine and feces threatened neighbors’ health while the overflow of junk posed a serious fire risk.
Learn more about the property in this video from our YouTube channel
CRG Tackles all Facets of Property Rehabilitation and Adds Value to the Property
The owner’s son recognized the crisis and invited her to move in with him while California Receivership Group went to work. After valuables were secured, we disposed of the significant amounts of detritus and took to performing renovations both inside and out. Professional landscapers transformed the exterior and installed an irrigation system to further benefit the lush terrain. Our Renovation Specialist sought to modernize the property while also celebrating its origins. We restored the European-style windows, entirely replaced the plumbing and copper wiring, and installed all-new hardwood floors.
After the abatement of the nuisance conditions, the home entered the market with a listing price approximately 30% above its highest initial appraisal, thus ensuring equity well above the costs of cleanup and receiver fees. The former owner found the care she needed as we worked with her family to find the best possible solutions for her situation and the property. And with its sale to new and caring owners, this elegant home will once again enjoy its deserved prominence as a model of the Tudor style for years to come.
Photos of the property after renovation by the receivership:
