Report Alleges Rampant Post-Fire Price Gouging in LA Went Largely Unpunished

Activist group Rent Brigade says over 18,000 potential cases of illegal rent hikes were found, but only 12 lawsuits filed so far.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A new report from the Rent Brigade activist organization claims that there were over 18,000 potential examples of price gouging in rental listings across Los Angeles County in the year following the Palisades and Eaton fires in 2025, but that only 12 lawsuits have been filed so far by authorities despite price-gouging protections being in place. The report alleges that many landlords seemed to believe there would be little accountability for illegally raising rents by more than 10% in the aftermath of the fires.

Why it matters

The report highlights concerns about the enforcement of price-gouging laws intended to protect vulnerable tenants displaced by natural disasters. It suggests that many landlords may have taken advantage of the housing crisis following the fires, raising rents far beyond legal limits, with minimal consequences so far from state and local officials tasked with cracking down on the practice.

The details

The Rent Brigade report analyzed LA County's rental market in the year after the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, finding 18,360 potential examples of price gouging in listings - where rents were raised more than 10% - but only 12 lawsuits filed so far by authorities. The report claims that as much as $49 million in excess rent may have been collected, though the actual number is likely lower. Officials at the state, county and city levels had all vowed crackdowns on price gouging, and there have been efforts to increase penalties, but the report alleges that enforcement has been lacking.

  • On January 7, 2025, the day of the Palisades and Eaton fires, Governor Gavin Newsom put price-gouging rules into effect in LA County.
  • The price-gouging protections prohibiting landlords from raising rents by more than 10% have been in place in LA County since January 2025 and are currently extended through February 27, 2026.

The players

Rent Brigade

An activist organization that published the report alleging widespread price gouging and minimal enforcement in LA County following the 2025 wildfires.

Philip Meyer

A volunteer with the Rent Brigade who co-authored the report.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who put price-gouging rules into effect in LA County on the day of the 2025 fires.

Nathan Hochman

The Los Angeles County District Attorney, whose office acknowledged that no price-gouging cases have been filed despite strong statements condemning the practice.

Hydee Feldstein Soto

The Los Angeles City Attorney, whose office has filed 7 price-gouging lawsuits related to the 2025 fires.

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What they’re saying

“I was shocked by how many clear, unavoidable cases of price gouging there were. A lot of folks didn't seem to think there'd be any accountability, so they were breaking the law in plain view.”

— Philip Meyer, Volunteer, Rent Brigade

“As part of our department's work to protect Californians following the fires, California DOJ formed a Disaster Relief Task Force, sent 753 warning letters to hotels and landlords who were accused of price gouging, and filed criminal charges against six defendants, including Los Angeles real estate agents and a landlord.”

— Elissa Perez, Spokesperson, California Department of Justice

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This report highlights the challenges of enforcing price-gouging laws, even when they are in place, and the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures to protect vulnerable tenants from landlords seeking to exploit natural disasters for financial gain.