• Landlords in Los Angeles County are exploiting wildfire-related displacement by illegally raising rental prices up to 300 percent, violating California’s mandated 10 percent cap on price increases during emergencies.
• Real estate platforms like Zillow have removed hundreds of listings violating price gouging laws, but many displaced families are already burdened by predatory rental practices.
• Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has warned violators to cease price gouging, refund overcharged tenants or face fines up to $10,000, jail time and public shaming.
• Wildfires have worsened Southern California’s housing crisis, with displaced residents facing exorbitant rents and limited housing options, further straining an already unaffordable market.

Landlords and property owners in Los Angeles County are price gouging, exploiting the wildfires to hike rental prices by as much as 300 percent.

Price gouging occurs when sellers drastically increase the cost of essential goods or services during emergencies, taking advantage of heightened demand and limited supply. In California, state law prohibits raising prices by more than 10 percent during a declared state of emergency. Yet, in Los Angeles County, some landlords have ignored this law, charging displaced families exorbitant rents for temporary housing. (Related: Los Angeles wildfires leave displaced residents vulnerable to predatory PRICE GOUGING.)

Real estate platforms like Zillow have already removed hundreds of listings that violated the 10 percent cap, but the damage has been done. Families who have lost everything are now facing the added burden of predatory rental practices.

One resident, a retiree named Brian, lost his rent-controlled apartment in the Pacific Palisades after two decades. Now, he fears his pension won’t cover the skyrocketing rents in a city where housing was already unaffordable for many.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has issued a stern warning to those engaging in price gouging: Stop immediately and refund overcharged tenants or face criminal charges, civil penalties and public shaming. Violators could be fined up to $10,000 or spend a year in jail.

The problem extends beyond individual landlords. Even luxury real estate mogul Jason Oppenheim, star of the Netflix reality series “Selling Sunset,” has spoken out against the practice. Oppenheim recounted a shocking example of a landlord demanding $23,000 per month for a property originally listed at $13,000.

“There are price gouging laws in California,” he said. “They’re just being ignored right now, and this isn’t the time to be taking advantage of situations.”

Wildfires and price gouging expected to exacerbate Southern California’s housing shortage and crisis

The wildfires have displaced tens of thousands of people, creating a housing crisis within a crisis. With fewer available units and more people competing for them, rents are soaring.

The median rent in Los Angeles is already $2,800 per month, but some displaced residents are being asked to pay double or triple that amount. For families like Erica Lee’s, who lost their home and are bouncing between Airbnbs, the situation is dire.

“My son keeps asking me, ‘When are we going to stop moving?’” Lee said. “And I don’t have an answer for it.”

While authorities crack down on price gouging, the broader issue of housing affordability in Los Angeles remains unresolved. Even before the wildfires, the city was grappling with a homelessness crisis and skyrocketing rents. The disaster has only exacerbated these challenges, leaving many to wonder how the most vulnerable will recover.

The response from the community, however, offers a glimmer of hope. Over 13,000 people have donated more than $6 million to the California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund. Volunteers and tenant advocacy groups are also stepping up, tracking rental increases and reporting violations to authorities.

Watch this video discussing how much the Los Angeles wildfires have hurt local and state Democrats.

This video is from the NewsClips channel at Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Newsom’s wildfire response focuses on online “misinformation” while Californians suffer.

Deadly LA fires worsen as high winds threaten to undo containment progress.

LA mayor’s budget cuts blamed for fire department struggles as wildfires rage.

Kristin is the new Karen: A dearth of leadership from the DEI hires in charge of public safety at the LA Fire Department.

Insurance exodus and wildfire fallout: California’s crisis deepens.

Sources include:

100Percentfedup.com

ABCnews.go.com

BBC.com

Brighteon.com