East Palo Alto Mega-Landlord Page Mill Shuts Down Leasing Offices

Tenants are wondering how long it might take Wells Fargo Bank to restore some semblance of normal property maintenance, as it appears there might be a foreclosure at hand. Page Mill spent and spent on lawyers to fight rent control in East Palo Alto. But they just lost a major court case and this looks like the end of Page Mill's ill-fought battle. Is this the end of Page Mill?

East Palo Alto tenants packed the chambers for a hearing that was held in San Mateo County Superior Court on September 1. Superior Court Judge Steven Dylina granted plaintiff Eric Oberle's motion for a preliminary injunction in a class action lawsuit against the giant landlord. The injunction will bar Page Mill from collecting or enforcing rent increases that do not comply with East Palo Alto rent stabilization rules.

Meanwhile, tenants are having trouble paying rent, as online payment services have ceased to work and some fear that dropping rental checks in the mail slot of the abandoned offices will result in loss or theft of their checks.

To be continued....