City ramps up enforcement, complaint portal and outreach after post-fire rent spikes

At the Housing and Homelessness Committee's first 2025 meeting, city officials described an expanding enforcement effort after hundreds of complaints that landlords and other housing providers posted rent increases following recent wildfires.

The committee heard from the City Attorney's Office, the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), the Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD) and the Mayor's Fund about steps the city has taken to receive reports, investigate possible violations and connect affected residents with services.

The City Attorney's Office said the state's price-gouging law applies once a declaration of emergency is in effect and generally prohibits advertising or charging "in excess of 10% higher than the rates that were charged before the declaration of emergency." The office told the committee it is receiving reports through a dedicated hotline and through 311, reviewing crowdsourced lists, and working with county and state law enforcement partners. "My report ... says, more than 700. Further updates that…