Jason Oppenheim Accuses LA Landlords of Price Gouging Amid Wildfires
Jason Oppenheim of Netflix's "Selling Sunset" (Gisela Schober / Getty Images)
Jason Oppenheim, a star of Netflix’s Selling Sunset and co-founder of the Oppenheim Group, has accused landlords in Los Angeles of illegally raising rents amid the ongoing wildfires devastating the region, Business Insider reports.
In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, Oppenheim called attention to what he described as an exploitative practice, urging that it be exposed.
California law prohibits landlords from increasing rents by more than 10% following the declaration of a state of emergency, and Governor Gavin Newsom recently extended a ban on price gouging until January 2026. Oppenheim, however, argued that these laws are being ignored by some property owners in the wake of the fires, which have caused significant destruction across the city.
The wildfires, which have been raging for nearly a week, have resulted in at least 24 deaths, left dozens of people missing, and destroyed thousands of structures, including homes. The fires have burned an area larger than Paris, and many displaced residents are seeking temporary housing, driving up demand for rentals.
Oppenheim shared a personal example during the interview, revealing that one of his clients had visited a property listed for $13,000 per month. When the client offered $20,000 a month with six months of rent paid upfront, the landlord reportedly raised the asking price to $23,000 per month.
“This isn’t the time to be taking advantage of situations, and it’s also illegal to take advantage of a natural disaster,” Oppenheim said.
He stressed that the practice constitutes price gouging.
In response to the situation, California Attorney General Rob Bonta also condemned the practice, stating that price gouging is illegal and that any offenders would be held accountable. Under the state’s price gouging laws, landlords are prohibited from increasing rental prices by more than 10% after an emergency declaration. Violations of these laws can result in fines of up to $10,000 or up to a year in jail.
The wildfires continue to cause major disruption in Los Angeles, especially in areas like Pacific Palisades, which is home to some of the city’s most expensive real estate. Celebrities including Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and Milo Ventimiglia have reportedly lost their homes in the fires. Despite progress in containing the blazes, dry winds remain a significant threat, and the situation may worsen. As displaced residents struggle to find new housing, the demand for rentals continues to escalate, leading to further concerns about potential illegal price hikes.
