Devastating wildfires that are still raging throughout the city of Los Angeles have
displaced more than 100,000 residents in just a few weeks, leaving families without homes and communities in ruins. This is a situation that should be met with humanity and compassion.
Instead, many landlords and real estate agents are illegally exploiting the crisis for profit. Despite California's emergency declaration that bans price gouging and limits rent increases to 10%,
landlords in Los Angeles have been caught raising rents by as much as 134%. Hiking up these prices is not only breaking the law - it's callous and cruel. Sign the petition to demand that California officials aggressively prosecute landlords and realtors who violate price-gouging regulations!Imagine losing your home to flames, and having to search for new shelter - and fast. But when you look for a new place to rest your head, you find that suddenly you have few options, because heartless landlords have suddenly implemented egregious, predatory rent increases.
One three-bedroom home in the neighborhood of Mid-City was previously listed at $5,500 per month. Just two days later, its listed price skyrocketed to $15,000 per month. Another property in Santa Monica saw its rent leap from $12,750 to $28,000 - a 119% increase.
These outrageous price hikes are
blatantly illegal under California Penal Code 396, which carries penalties of up to a year in jail and $10,000 fines. Yet, enforcement has been weak, and bad actors continue to prey on vulnerable families.
These practices are not just about greed - they are an attack on basic human decency.
Housing is a fundamental need, especially during or after a disaster. Families who've already endured the trauma of losing their homes are now locked in bidding wars, with some offering astronomical sums like $1.5 million upfront for rental properties, only to still lose out and have nowhere to go.
This behavior is a direct violation of the law and a moral failing.
If this exploitation is allowed to continue, it sends a dangerous message: that landlords can profit off the suffering of displaced families with impunity.Sign this petition to demand that California officials uphold the law, crack down on price-gouging landlords, and protect fire survivors from further harm!