LA Wildfires Drive Illegal Rent Hikes, Prompting Crackdown on Price Gouging

Landlords in Los Angeles are accused of raising rents by up to 300% after devastating wildfires, violating state emergency laws and triggering public and legal responses.

• California law prohibits rent increases of more than 10% during a declared state of emergency, but reports indicate widespread violations in LA following the wildfires.
• Real estate platforms like Zillow and Apartments.com have removed hundreds of listings suspected of price gouging and implemented stricter monitoring measures.
• Los Angeles County officials warn violators of potential fines, jail time, and public disclosure of their actions, urging landlords to refund overcharged tenants.
• Tenant advocates and community groups are tracking illegal rent spikes through crowdsourced efforts, submitting violations to authorities for investigation.
• The wildfires, which destroyed thousands of homes and displaced residents, have exacerbated LA's housing crisis, with increased demand driving bidding wars and further illegal price hikes.

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