Reform California with Carl DeMaio · Carl DeMaio

A Nightmare for Property Owners in LA!

March 27, 2026·16 min·1 clip

A family's home was burned down and their dog killed by squatters, despite repeated pleas to L.A. officials.

This episode examines challenges facing property owners in Los Angeles County, hosted by Carl DeMaio, chairman of Reform California and a state representative. DeMaio argues that Democratic policies are eroding property rights and creating a hostile environment for landlords. He frames Los Angeles as a testing ground for policies that may spread to other California communities. The episode cites a new Los Angeles County rule allowing renters to skip two months of rent before eviction proceedings can begin. DeMaio mentions a proposed 6% property transfer tax, which he says could amount to $60,000 on a million-dollar home sale. He describes a specific incident where squatters allegedly burned down a family's home in central Los Angeles in early March, killing their dog. The host references Assembly Bill 897, his own legislation to expedite squatter removal, which was rejected by Democrats. He claims 92-98% of rentals are owned by "mom and pop" landlords with two or fewer units. DeMaio states that landlords in California cannot check a potential tenant's immigration status or inquire about Section 8 housing voucher use. He alleges that advocates are using these regulations to file "shake-down" lawsuits against small landlords. The host recounts that the family whose home burned down had repeatedly called police, who reportedly said the squatters "weren't committing any crimes." He also highlights a case where a homeowners' association in Altadena billed fire victims $23,614, due within 34 days. A central claim is that law enforcement treats drug-using squatters as a "protected class" while law-abiding property owners are victimized. DeMaio asserts that the government is "catering to" illegal immigrants over citizens and property owners. He argues that complex eviction processes, where a single paperwork error can cause a restart, are "predatory" against landlords. The proposed squatter bill would require police to give squatters 72 hours to leave or provide court evidence of a lease dispute. The tone is urgent and polemical, directly blaming specific political groups for the problems described. The style is a monologue-driven commentary, combining policy critique with emotional anecdotes. Listeners interested in California housing policy from a conservative, property-rights perspective would find this episode engaging. Those seeking a neutral analysis or solutions from multiple political viewpoints might find it less informative.

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