Residents call for action over Los Angeles ‘trash house’

Residents in one Los Angeles neighborhood are calling on city officials to take action regarding a property becoming known as the “trash house” that has filled plastic bags piled high in the front yard.

The home is located in the 600 block of North Martel Avenue and residents are not only concerned with getting the property cleaned up but also want the homeowner to be provided with any help he needs.

“My hope is that the city can step in for us as neighbors and do something with the materials that are here but also step in for this gentleman who needs some help,” one neighbor said. 

Video shows the plastic bags stacked as high as the gate surrounding the property. More debris could be seen on top of cars and on the ground along the side yards of the home.

Another area resident was concerned about possible health risks the trash bags may pose.

“I don’t really know what’s in that so it could be anything. Probably stuff rotting, you know, attracting rats and all sorts of things. And then also maybe a fire hazard,” A man who spoke with KTLA reporter Kimberly Cheng said. “And if something happens to his house or him inside no one can get in.”

The homeowner was described as a “nice man” but this isn’t the first time the city has been called about the home.

In December 2014, officials stepped in after the property owner failed to comply when asked to remove “rubbish, garbage, trash and debris from the premises,” a notice from the city obtained by KTLA stated.

The owner was also ordered to “maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary condition” and keep the driveway accessible.

The city ended up doing the cleanup and billing the homeowner in that instance.