Landlord Renting to Marines Fined Thousands, Sued by Oceanside HOA for Running ‘Mini Dorm'

NBC 7 has learned 11 months ago Zurawski rented to a Marine veteran who was getting out of prison after serving time for a sexual offense

A landlord in Oceanside who rents two houses to Marines and Marine veterans says he will not kick out his tenants, even though he says he is being fined thousands of dollars by his homeowners association.

Ron Zurawski has six Marines and Marine veterans living in each of his two houses. They each pay $650 to $750 a month for rent.

The Arrowwood Homeowner's Association says the Zurawski is violating covenant conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) that say the neighborhood is for single families –not mini dormitories. But that is only part of the story.

NBC 7 has learned 11 months ago Zurawski rented to a Marine veteran who was getting out of prison after serving time for a sexual offense.

Zurawski says he knew the former marine was a sexual offender, but the man's parole officer told Zurawski the marine veteran was not a "predator." "I wanted to give him a chance," said Zurawski, who also said he did not think it would go public.

But Zurawski said one neighbor found out about it on Megan's Law, and "that's when things exploded." Zurawski said the Marine veteran stayed in the house for only a few days and left when asked.

Still, he says, some neighbors complained to the HOA, which is fining Zurawski $1,000 a month for each house until he is in compliance with the rules. The HOA is also suing Zurawski. NBC 7 contacted the president of the HOA, who said he could not comment on the matter due to pending litigation; but he did confirm Zurawski is being sued for operating a commercial industry, mini dorm apartments, in a residential community.

Zurawski told NBC7 he believes the HOA is using the CC&Rs to get the Marines out of the houses. The HOA "cannot use sexual offender argument because that is discriminatory." The Marine veteran "served his time and had every right to live in my house." He said he is sorry he ever rented to the Marine veteran who was getting out of prison, because "I am now about to lose two houses, and 12 marines are going to be punished as well."

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