Jason Oppenheim, celebrity realtor and star of Selling Sunset, has openly criticized landlords for exploiting the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires by engaging in price gouging.
The wildfires, which have devastated areas such as Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Eaton Canyon, have displaced thousands of residents. Amid the crisis, reports have surfaced of landlords dramatically increasing rental rates, far exceeding legal limits.
In an interview with the BBC, Oppenheim recounted a troubling experience involving one of his clients. The client, seeking temporary housing, viewed a property listed for $13,000 per month and even offered $20,000 along with six months’ rent in advance. However, the landlord insisted on $23,000 per month, blatantly ignoring Californiaโs state of emergency laws that cap rental increases at 10%.
In response to such unethical practices, California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order aimed at preventing fraud and curbing price gouging during the emergency.
Oppenheim and his firm, the Oppenheim Group, have stepped up to help those affected. The agency is offering to represent displaced individuals free of charge or return any commission earned from related transactions.
Additionally, luxury realtor Dylan Eckardt, known for working with celebrities like Justin Bieber and Rihanna, has announced he will waive his commission fees for clients impacted by the fires.
The wildfires, which have been burning since last Tuesday, have already claimed 16 lives and continue to wreak havoc across the region.
