Andrew S Baker

08/16/2021

This is a photos of a client’s garage and behind it is an unpermitted addition. The client wants the addition to be an Accessory Dwelling Unit. But he’s got a problem- the side setback between his property and his neighbor’s is not wide enough. Most cities want the distance to be at least 3 to 5 feet for fire safety. I just saw this property on Friday so I’ll have to put my thinking cap on!

08/09/2021

Depending on the city you live in, Utility Easements can kill your chances to make a structure legal. What is a Utility Easement? Let me break it down. First, a utility can be your local water and power company, a telephone company, a cable (television and internet, although these lines are typically piggy-backed onto other utility lines) company, and sometimes sewer lines. Utility lines run both overhead and underground. This photo shows both overhead telephone lines and power lines.


Second is the term “easement.” An easement is the right to go onto the land of another. Utility companies have the right to go onto the land of residential property owners to repair and maintain their utility lines. Some larger cities such as Los Angeles have ways around utility easements to allow garages to be converted into Accessory Dwelling Units (“ADU”) or new structures to be made into ADU or legal, habitable Bonus Rooms (sometimes called Recreation Rooms or Rumpus Rooms). Smaller cities such as Garden Grove do not allow an owner to build in an Utility Easement.

You will always want to talk to a knowledgeable code compliance attorney who can protect and advance your rights – like me!

08/06/2021

Hope everyone had a good week and have exciting plans for this upcoming weekend!

08/05/2021

If you own two or more residential rental units in the city of Los Angeles, you should take a look at this.

https://hcidla2.lacity.org/rental-property-owners

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06/01/2021

Hi, I'm Andy Baker. I've been proud to serve clients from the Bay Area down to Southern California, and Orange county out to the desert communities for the past 25 years as a real estate attorney. I know how to help people in situations that are similar, or identical to yours. I was a real estate agent in Los Angeles for over 13 years.

I have been professionally assisting apartment owners and homeowners in all kinds of situations for years. I have run into many of the barriers that you can expect to run into, and many that you would never expect. I still get surprised by what can happen. Most situations seem straight-forward, but take unexpected turns.

For litigation, I try and negotiate settlements before disputes result in litigation.

However, sometimes people won't listen to reason and a lawsuit results. I both bring and defend litigation involving property buyers, sellers, brokers, tenants, landlords, subtenants, property managers, and related parties of commercial, industrial and residential properties. I provide assertive, yet thoughtful representation in real estate matters.

I will protect your rights in mediation, arbitration, and litigation, regarding all of these kinds regardless of the type of issues.

Please call me for your FREE telephone consultation where I will personally:

I look forward to talking with you soon.