Landlord Sentenced to a Unit He Owns

An Irvine man who owns rental property in Arizona will do time in one of his own run-down units.

A Phoenix judge on Wednesday sentenced Sherwin Seyrafi to 30 days in an apartment with two broken windows. Seyrafi, 38, was convicted last month of violating city health codes.

The sentence, which begins Oct. 12, prohibits Seyrafi from making any repairs to his apartment until he fixes the other units in the building. He also cannot leave the property, which is in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods.

Seyrafi protested the sentence, saying city authorities selectively prosecuted him and distorted the problems. He said he will appeal.

Seyrafi operates at least 30 properties in the Phoenix area.

Seyrafi also is under Maricopa County indictment alleging that he obtained rental deposits by showing photos of desirable property and refused to return deposits when the properties proved “virtually uninhabitable.”