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os Angeles real estate agent Jason Oppenheim criticized landlords for allegedly hiking rents during the city's wildfires, despite California's anti-price-gouging law that bars hikes above 10%. An Oppenheim broker listed a Hollywood Hills home for $17,500, 17% above Zillow's November rate, before reducing it to $14,995. The agent attributed the initial price to furniture and a Zillow listing quirk.

    Citizen journalists and tenant groups have flagged hundreds of listings on Zillow and Redfin for alleged price gouging, with some made by agents from prominent brokerages. Social media posters have lambasted landlords pushing hikes or brokers carrying out orders. However, not all posters are intentionally inflating prices, brokers say.

    The city's tight vacancy rate of 5% and the need for displaced residents to find new housing has driven up prices. Dan Yukelson, executive director of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, said this will drive up housing costs due to supply and demand factors. Some listings showing increases above the state's 10% threshold may be market responses or errors on the broker's part.

    Tenant organizer Chelsea Kirk and volunteers have vetted hundreds of listings flagged for outsized hikes, with an average increase of about 27%. Sources pointed to hikes in excess of 20% as a red flag for gouging. Luxury villa brokerage Living The Dream listed a Mid-City home for $19,999, a 33.4% increase from its previous price.

    Zillow is taking action to address price gouging on rental listings and encourages renters to report illegal hikes to the website or California authorities. Some agents have provided explanations for outsized increases, such as lease length adjustments. Ben Leeds Properties attributed its rentals going for 25% above previous asking prices to a switch from one-year to six-month leases, which Zillow doesn't account for.

    The company backtracked and cut rents to precisely 10% above their New Year price, citing the expense of faster unit turns and shorter periods of reliable revenue. Ben Leeds is offering half-off security deposits for those displaced by the fire and evacuees are still eligible for a six-month term on any of the company's listings.