Oakland building fire: Displaced residents reportedly received lease terminations

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — After a three-alarm fire broke out in Oakland on Monday, several displaced tenants are even more confused about their future after they allegedly received eviction notices.

“The notice purported to because there was a fire, I believe, it’s stated that all leases are hereby terminated. And that stood out to me because that is just patently against the law,” said David Hall, a tenants’ right managing attorney with Centro Legal de la Raza. Hall has been advising tenants of their rights following the incident.

“It’s not legal in the city of Oakland to try to terminate tenancies in such a way,” said Hall. “There is there is a possible notice that could have been served, which would require the tenants to vacate. But they would have the right to return.”

In a letter obtained by ABC7 News, the Oakland City Attorney’s office sent a letter to the building’s landlords Commonwealth Management, Inc. on Tuesday. In the letter, city officials reference a document allegedly sent to tenants on the same day as the fire, notifying them that “all leases are herby terminated.”

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ABC7 News reached out to the named landlord Ted Dang. In a response, Dang only referenced one tenant he had already been in the process of evicting, even suggesting that tenant or a guest started the fire.

Oakland Fire Department is still investigating the cause. Regardless of how the fire started, Hall said tenants should be able to return.

“Here’s what you need to know. Don’t sign anything without, you know, running it by an attorney,” said Hall.

Saron Hanson was one of the dozens of residents displaced. His apartment was just under the unit where the fire reportedly broke out. Hanson described being home at the time.

“I just started to smell smoke. And from smelling smoke, I got frightened,” said Hanson. “So I jumped up to see now that my bedroom is on fire and the room, it’s already filled with smoke.”

Hanson lost everything in the fire.

“So I really just have the clothes that’s on my back,” said Hanson. “It has definitely been kind of hard for me.”

Hanson has turned to GoFundMe, hoping to get back on his feet. As the legal process plays out over whether the landlords of the building violated housing law, Hanson is worried about his day-to-day.

“I’m in the air, probably just couch to couch,” said Hanson. “Just trying to, you know, get myself stable again.”