Marilyn Monroe's Former Home Owners Sue LA Over Landmark Status, UK Weighs Rent Controls Amid Iran War Fallout

Los Angeles Homeowners Sue City Over Landmark Status of Marilyn Monroe’s Former Residence

The owners of the Los Angeles home where Marilyn Monroe died in 1962 have filed a federal lawsuit against the city, alleging that its decision to landmark the property amounts to an unconstitutional taking without compensation.

California couple Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank purchased the 2,300-square-foot home and a 23,000-square-foot lot in 2023. At the time, they applied for permits to demolish the then-unlandmarked property. However, just one day after the city issued the demolition permits, it initiated the process to designate the home as a "historical-cultural monument."

The landmarking, completed in June 2024, blocked Milstein and Bank from demolishing the home—described in their complaint as "dilapidated"—or making significant changes to the surrounding land. The owners also claim the city’s decision has disrupted their property by turning it into a tourist hotspot, causing traffic jams from sightseeing tours and frequent trespassing. To address the issue, the couple has hired security guards to monitor the property.

In January 2025, Milstein and Bank sued the city in federal court, arguing that the landmarking constitutes a physical taking of their property without compensation. They further allege that the city’s decision—made over 60 years after Monroe’s death and after collecting $30,000 in permitting fees—amounts to a regulatory taking, destroying the economic value of their land and violating their investment-backed expectations.

"Not a trace of Ms. Monroe's short tenure at the house remains at the Property or in the house—and the house has been substantially altered by successive owners over more than sixty years and with multiple building permits issued by the City without any opposition by the City."

The plaintiffs are seeking either permission to demolish the home or financial compensation for the government’s actions. In April 2025, the Pacific Legal Foundation joined the case to represent Milstein and Bank.

U.K. Considers Rent Freeze Amid Economic Strain from U.S.-Iran War

In a separate development, the U.K. government is exploring rent controls to address rising living costs exacerbated by the U.S.-Iran War. According to The Guardian, Rachel Reeves, the U.K.’s chancellor of the Exchequer, is considering a yearlong ban on private landlords raising rents as part of broader efforts to stabilize the economy.

The potential rent freeze comes as new rental data highlights the growing financial burden on tenants, with inflation and geopolitical tensions driving up housing costs. The proposal reflects broader concerns over affordability and economic resilience in the face of global conflicts.

Florida Eases Zoning Restrictions for Private Schools

In addition to the above developments, Florida has recently relaxed zoning regulations for private schools, allowing for greater flexibility in school siting and expansion. The move aims to accommodate growing demand for private education while streamlining permitting processes.