California Attorney General Rob Bonta has charged a real estate agent with price gouging for allegedly attempting to rent a Glendale home at more than 50% above the listed price following the Eaton Fire. The case highlights the ongoing issue of price gouging in California, particularly in the wake of natural disasters.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed new price-gouging charges against a real estate agent accused of attempting to rent a Glendale home for more than 50% above the property's listed rent. According to the misdemeanor complaint filed Monday in L.A. County Superior Court, agent Lar Sevan Chouljian allegedly violated the state's ban on post-disaster price gouging when a family that had been evacuated during the Eaton Fire inquired about renting the home in Glendale.
The complaint states that Chouljian increased the rent by more than 50%, taking advantage of the family's desperate situation. The agent's defense claims that there was no price gouging involved, and in fact, the property closed under the 10% limit allowed by state law. However, Bonta stated that the charge was filed after prosecutors investigated complaints received by the California Department of Justice. He emphasized that these charges are part of the state's commitment to ending price gouging, particularly in the wake of disasters like the recent wildfires. Bonta warned those who might try to exploit vulnerable individuals during such crises, stating that the state will not tolerate such practices.California law prohibits rent increases of more than 10% following a disaster, including for rental properties. Violators face up to one year in jail and fines of up to $10,000. The Attorney General's office has been actively investigating cases of alleged price gouging, including a recent investigation that identified 1,343 Zillow listings suspected of violating the state's rent gouging ban between January 7th and January 18th. This investigation highlighted the extent of the problem and underscores the importance of enforcing rent control measures during emergencies
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