As two major fires still burn in the greater Los Angeles region, California Attorney General Rob Bonta is asking potential victims to report price gouging in the rental and lodging markets to state or local authorities.
At least 27 people have died, more than 15,000 structures have been destroyed, and thousands have lost their homes due to wildfires in California in 2025.
Bonta also warned California landlords that rental bidding which causes unlawful price increases during a state of emergency is illegal under California’s price gouging statute.
“Reports of rental bidding wars are deeply concerning, especially because some landlords seem to be encouraging them. The bottom line is this: landlords cannot charge, or accept, rent that exceeds the 10 percent cap set by California’s price gouging statute, even if they find someone who is willing to pay it,” he said in a statement on Jan. 18….