L
andlords in Los Angeles are taking advantage of the devastating wildfires by raising rents at an alarming rate, despite a state law that prohibits price gouging after a state of emergency is declared. The law limits rent increases to 10% during such times.

    However, a review of local listings and reports from realtors reveal that many landlords are ignoring this rule. A five-bedroom property in Santa Monica was listed for $12,500 per month in February but is now priced at $28,000 - a 124% increase. Another rental property in North Hollywood jumped by $800 to $5,700 a month overnight.

    LA-based realtor Laura Kate Jones found that rents for several properties in West LA surged by between 15% and 20% overnight. "People are so panicked and desperate to get into a house right now that they're just throwing money into the wind," she said. "It's horrendous."

    A crowdsourced spreadsheet compiled by Chelsea Kirk, director of policy and advocacy at Strategic Actions for a Just Economy, includes addresses, Zillow links, dates of rent increases, and exact pre- and post-hike prices. The data shows that even smaller properties are seeing exorbitant price hikes.

    For example, a 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom home in Woodland Hills was listed for $3,900 in November but is now priced at $5,900. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency last week, invoking anti-price gouging laws to curb opportunistic rent hikes.

    Real estate professionals and housing advocates are urging state authorities to enforce these laws aggressively. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has launched a new system for reporting price gouging, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta has vowed to investigate violations and impose penalties up to $10,000 and imprisonment.