Oakland tenant claims cockroaches and a leaky roof made her apartment uninhabitable.
The Case
- Case Name: Brewer v. 1846 B Avenue LLC
- Court and Case Number: Alameda Superior Court / 23CV056086
- Date of Verdict or Judgment: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
- Type of Case: Landlord-Tenant Issues
- Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Karin Schwartz
- Plaintiffs:
Danielle Brewer
- Defendants:
1846 B Avenue LLC
- Type of Result: Jury Verdict
The Result
- Gross Verdict or Award: Defense verdict. Jury found there were substandard conditions at the property but that plaintiff was the cause of the roaches; that plaintiff was not harmed by the leaks and there was no violation of codes.
The Attorneys
- Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Broderick Brown Law Firm by Broderick Brown, Oakland.
- Attorney for the Defendant:
Patrick Torsney Esq., Rolling Hills Estates.
The Experts
- Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
David Saldavir, property management.
Facts and Background
- Facts and Background:
Plaintiff lived at defendant's apartment complex for nine years. Plaintiff made complaints of substandard conditions that included roaches, bed bugs, and leaks.
Plaintiff initially alleged 14 different causes of action but reduced the claims to Breach of the Warranty of Habitability, Nuisance, and Violations of the Oakland Tenant Protection Ordinance.
- Plaintiff's Contentions:
That the landlord failed to provide a code-compliant apartment unit. That the unit had leaks and pest infestation problems for nine years. Plaintiff introduced photos of roaches. Plaintiff's expert stated the roof needed to be replaced and that pest control efforts were not frequent enough.
- Defendant's Contentions:
The defendant testified to his pest control efforts. Defendant confirmed Terminex has treated the complex for the last 10 years. Defendant introduced evidence that pest control treatment was applied monthly; further, that plaintiff had refused pest control inside her unit and had poor housekeeping. Plaintiff was impeached when she confirmed she did not know what a bed bug was.
Demands and Offers
- Plaintiff Demand during Trial: $1,500,000.
- Defendant Final Offer before Trial: $100,000