Jason Oppenheim blasts landlords for capitalising on Los Angeles wildfires
Jason Oppenheim has accused landlords of capitalising on the Los Angeles wildfires by "illegally" massively increasing rental costs.
Jason Oppenheim has accused landlords of capitalising on the Los Angeles wildfires by "illegally" increasing rental costs.
The 'Selling Sunset' star - who pledged last week to represent the fire victims looking for new homes for free - has lashed out at property owners for ignoring California laws that prevent people from "taking advantage" of natural disasters and capitalising on the demand for houses by demanding inflated sums.
Speaking via video link on UK TV show 'Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg', The Oppenheim Group boss said: "I think it should be exposed, but we're having landlords taking advantage of the situation.
"I had a client. We sent him to a house that was asking $13,000 a month. He offered $20,000 a month, and he offered to pay six months up front. And the landlord said, 'No, I want $23,000 a month.'
"There are price gouging laws in California. They're just being ignored right now, and this isn't the time to be taking advantage of situations, and it's also illegal to take advantage of a natural disaster.
"I researched the law last night. You cannot charge more than 10% pre-disaster market rates."
Since the fires broke out, over 12,000 structures have been destroyed and almost 40,000 actr4es of land and Jason has been left horrified by the situation.
He said: "I can't even put words to it. I never could have imagined that this would have happened here.
"And maybe that's naivety on my part. But communities like Altadena, you know, very hard working class areas and these people really lost not just their homes, but their belongings, their clothes.
"Forget about the $50 to $100 billion of damage that's caused, it's emotional for everyone. I mean, I think everyone just has tears and, you know, in their eyes all day long, not literally from the smoke, but also just because it's emotional to see people struggling like this.
"We are so resilient... we'll rebuild better and with stronger foundations."
The 47-year-old star had announced on Thursday (09.01.25) that the Oppenheim Group - which is the focus of Netflix series 'Selling Sunset' - were keen to help those who had lost their group.
He wrote on Instagram: “If you’ve lost your home in the Los Angeles fires and you need to find a place to rent until your home is rebuilt, all Oppenheim Group agents will represent you for free or credit you back any commission we receive in the transaction. Please reach out to us at office@ogroup.com.”
