Celebrity realtor Jason Oppenheim has spoken out against price gouging in the midst of California’s devastating wildfires. One of his clients was offered a $23,000 monthly rent for a house that was initially asking $13,000. Oppenheim claims this is illegal under California law, which prohibits increasing rental prices by more than 10% during a declared state of emergency.
The situation has been exacerbated by the governor’s executive order to prevent fraud and price gouging. Meanwhile, Oppenheim Group agents will represent displaced victims for free or credit them back any commission received in the transaction.
High-profile celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Milo Ventimiglia, Adam Brody, Leighton Meester, and Billy Crystal have lost their homes in the fires. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has reported 16 deaths, 16 missing persons reports, and over 100,000 people under evacuation orders.
President Joe Biden declared the fires a major disaster and directed the federal government to cover 100% of costs for disaster assistance. Oppenheim believes that the issue of price gouging needs to be exposed, especially during natural disasters when people are vulnerable. He argues that landlords should not take advantage of their clients in such situations.
The article highlights the importance of adhering to laws against price gouging and emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in real estate transactions during emergencies.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/01/selling-sunset-jason-oppenheim-calls-out-landlords-taking-advantage-wildfires-1236255026