Evacuees from the Eaton and Palisades fires are still reeling from the loss of their homes and, in some cases, loved ones, and many say they are once again being victimized by price gouging landlords. .
Totres-Beasley, a Pasadena native, was so devastated by the Eaton Fire that she lost her home the day after paying off her mortgage.
“We evacuated the house, not knowing it was going to catch fire, and came back to the ruins. It was gone,” the 64-year-old told KTLA’s Chris Wolf. “We are in this situation with many other people, victims of the fire.”
Beasley said she and her son, Aaron Miller, are tackling an entirely new problem: criminal landlords jacking up rents to unbelievable prices for even one-bedroom apartments. he added.
“It is said that there are probably 5,000 cases. [a month]” Beasley said of the one-bedroom apartment he inquired about. “Some of my friends told people and they said $6,000 plus, but one girl said someone was charging $8,000.”
Her strategy, she said, is to keep looking until she finds a landlord who cares more about her humanity than her wallet.
The burnt remains of the Tortless-Beasley home destroyed in the Eaton Fire. (KTLA) The charred remains of the Tortless-Beasley home destroyed in the Eaton Fire. (KTLA) The charred remains of the Tortless-Beasley home destroyed in the Eaton Fire. (KTLA) The charred remains of the Tortless-Beasley home destroyed in the Eaton Fire. (KTLA) The charred remains of the Tortless-Beasley home destroyed in the Eaton Fire. (KTLA)
At a press conference Wednesday morning, newly elected Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hockman spoke freely about landlords seeking to exploit wildfire victims.
“Price gouging is especially despicable because they look at this situation and ask, what are we going to do about it? [they can] We make the most money from people who have lost everything and are desperately looking for housing, goods and services,” Hochman said. “Let me tell you, in terms of this price gouging, we have seen people increasing the price of their rooms. [or] They rent their houses for 100, 200, 300 percent. ”
What we know about those who died in the Eaton, Palisades fire
During Los Angeles County’s current state of emergency, landlords are prohibited from increasing rent by more than 10% above previously advertised rates.
Housing and rental rights groups report that landlords are raising some prices by 120%. One particularly egregious listing that has since been removed included a Santa Monica property that was previously listed for $12,750 a month, but the fire bumped the price to $28,000 a month.
However, there are also gray areas such as bidding wars. Experts say that if a landlord offers more than 10% of the previously advertised rate, it doesn’t necessarily qualify as price gouging.
“Of course people are trying to take advantage of that,” Miller said of her and her mother’s situation. “They say things like, ‘We’ll work with you,’ which means you can get a small, one-bedroom, 800-square-foot apartment for $5,000, $6,000 a month, and eventually. You’re going to sleep on the bed.” The floor. “
Hochman and other county leaders have sent a clear signal that criminal and civil penalties for price gouging will be enforced during the current state of emergency.
“Let me warn you again: If you are one of those involved in price gouging, not only do you need to stop it immediately, we strongly recommend that you go back and fix it… Go back and refund the amount.” Please.’ You’ve been overcharging people,” he said. “We will definitely take that into account when deciding whether to charge you or not. So if you want to comply with the law, you can take advantage of it now.”
Los Angeles city officials also launched a new “reception system” to accept reports of price gouging through the city’s 311 phone number.
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