A
s the embers of California's devastating wildfires begin to cool, a new wave of concern is sweeping through affected communities: the threat of price gouging and scams. The California Association of REALTORS (CAR) is sounding the alarm, urging displaced homeowners to be vigilant in the face of unscrupulous opportunists.
In an open letter published in over 45 newspapers across the state, CAR warns of the dangers of price gouging, unsolicited offers, and outright fraud. With estimated losses topping $250 billion, making them the most expensive natural disasters in U.S. history, California's housing shortage is already straining resources for those seeking emergency shelter.
CAR's letter cautions homeowners to beware of:
* Price gouging: Rent increases above 10% are prohibited during emergencies; landlords cannot accept higher rents even if tenants agree.
* Unsolicited offers: Wildfire victims are protected from land speculators; uninvited texts, calls, or emails with under-market value offers should be reported to the California Department of Real Estate.
* Fraud: Scammers may target disaster victims with fake rental listings, bogus crowdfunding campaigns, or impersonations of government officials and contractors.
To combat these threats, CAR is distributing a $1 million donation from the REALTORS Relief Foundation (RRF) to support recovering residents. Homeowners can apply for up to $1,000 in financial relief through RRF, and are also encouraged to take advantage of Proposition 19 for property tax relief.
As real estate professionals across the country rally behind California's wildfire victims, CAR President Heather Ozur writes: "Our hearts are heavy for those lives that have been upended. The next several months will bring untold challenges for many. As professionals whose core values are tethered to the building of communities and to the meaning that 'home' occupies in our lives, we not only stand committed to helping rebuild what has been lost but also aim to protect you however we can."
