Mayor Karen Bass instructed the Los Angeles Department of Building Services on Monday, August 31, 2026, to file a lien against a long‑standing nuisance property in Studio City. The action follows a fire that broke out at the abandoned building late last week.
The property in question sits near the intersection of Babcock Avenue and Moorpark Street, just west of Whitsett Avenue. Residents in the surrounding area have repeatedly complained about the structure, describing it as a source of ongoing problems for the neighborhood. The building has remained vacant for an extended period, and its condition has drawn the attention of city officials on several occasions.
A fire erupted at the site on Wednesday, prompting an emergency response from the fire department. Although no injuries were reported, the incident added to the growing list of concerns associated with the property. City officials cited the fire as the latest example of the risks posed by the neglected building and used it as justification for pursuing a lien against its owner.
A lien, in this context, serves as a legal claim against the property that can be used to recover costs associated with remediation or to compel the owner to address code violations. By directing the Department of Building Services to place the lien, Mayor Bass signaled the city’s intention to enforce accountability and to protect public safety. The department is expected to move forward with the filing process, which may lead to further legal steps if the property owner does not take corrective action.
The decision reflects the city’s broader effort to address abandoned or hazardous structures that affect community well‑being. Officials indicated that the lien is part of a strategy to ensure that property owners meet their responsibilities and that neighborhoods are not left to bear the burden of unsafe, deteriorating buildings.