Thousands of California evacuees are struggling to find homes similar to the ones they lost, even as Golden State officials warn landlords and hotel owners that price gouging caused by the Los Angeles wildfires is unacceptable. I'm still afraid I'll have to double-cross up to 50% more to get it. .
Since Jan. 7, when the deadly and devastating Palisades and Eaton fires first occurred, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed lawsuits against fire victims for inflating advertised rents by: Warning letters have been issued to more than 200 accused “unscrupulous” landlords and hoteliers. That's as high as 124%, which is a clear violation of state law.
“The price gouging we are seeing and hearing needs to stop now,” Bonta said in a statement Friday. “We are taking swift action and will not stop until price gouging stops.”
As of Saturday, the Eaton Fire was said to be 73% contained and the Palisades Fire was said to be 43% contained. The inferno killed at least 27 people and destroyed 12,000 structures over 60 square miles.
Marcela Banuelos, a 24-year-old hospital delivery worker, witnessed flames engulf the $1,200-a-month studio apartment she rented in Altadena where she lived with her Doberman, Diabla.
To rent a comparable property in the Pasadena area, she told the Post, she would have to pay 30 percent more because Altadena is more affordable than other nearby areas.
“My house was burnt down,” Banuelos said. “It was scary. I was alone, it was just me and the dog. It was dark and I heard the explosions, so Diabla almost tripped too. It was hell.”
Banuelos said she was told she could move into a friend's father's studio apartment in Pasadena.
“They're raising rents around Pasadena to crazy amounts,” she said. “If you want to stay close to Altadena, you'll pay an additional 33%, and you could end up paying almost twice what you would have paid here for the same type of apartment.
“I don't want to go somewhere that's foreign to me,” she added. “I could afford to pay more rent, but I wouldn't be able to live comfortably. I'd be working a lot more than I used to.”
Sprocket mechanic Jacinto de la Torre, 64, also lost his rental home in Altadena and worries he will have to spend 50% more to find comparable housing.
“It was a two-bedroom house that cost $1,600 a month,” he told the Post, fighting back tears. He said he inspected the remains of what was once his home and paid cash to rent it.
He, his wife, and their three sons, ages 14, 17, and 18, are staying in a motel with their “super cute” German shepherd, Bella.
“You would have to pay more to rent something similar. To rent another two-bedroom house around here, it would probably cost $2,500 right now,” de la Torre said. spoke.
“I'm worried that it will be difficult to find a place to rent that I can afford.”
Neither Mr. de le Torre nor Mr. Banuelos had renters insurance, he said.
Epi Cruz, 53, has been looking for an apartment since the one he rented in Altadena was destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
“We’re open to apartments, townhomes, anything,” Cruz told the Post on Friday. “My insurance covers up to $120,000 in rental costs, but I don't know how long it will take to rebuild, so I want it to last as long as possible. I don't need anything fancy. If you have two bedrooms, that’s fine, it works.”
Bonta said his office has launched a criminal investigation into the price gouging suspects.
“We are doing everything we can to protect Californians who are seeking a safe place to evacuate, recuperate, and care for their frightened children and families.” he stated.
