After the resident’s lease expired on November 14, 2024, Community Property Managers Kathy Scheiwe and Maximilian Fazio, under the management of Greystar Property Management, refused to extend the lease in what appears to be an intentional effort to force the resident out to make room for California State University Long Beach (CSULB) student housing.

Immediately after the expiration, the monthly rent for the resident’s two-bedroom unit increased from $3,300 to $3,550, plus additional month-to-month fees, bringing the total monthly payment to over $3,700. This increase was excessive and potentially in violation of California’s Price Gouging Laws (Penal Code §396), which prohibit landlords from increasing rent by more than 10% during or following a declared emergency—such as the ongoing statewide emergency declarations related to wildfires, housing shortages, and other crises in effect during that period.

Six months later, in March 2025, Property Managers Scheiwe and Fazio issued a retroactive Rent Increase Notice, attempting to justify the earlier rent hike nearly half a year after it had already been imposed. By that time, the resident had overpaid approximately $1,500 due to the unlawful rent increase. The notice falsely claimed that the resident could renew their lease; however, when the resident sought renewal, management refused to honor the offer.

Shortly thereafter, the same Community Property Managers began issuing false and discriminatory lease violations against the resident, culminating in a fraudulent eviction filing. These actions collectively demonstrate a pattern of retaliation, discrimination, and price gouging in violation of California Civil Code, Fair Housing laws, and Penal Code §396.