California warns greater than 200 lodges and landlords of value gouging complaints in wake of fires

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California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta has despatched greater than 200 letters to landlords and lodges warning them that they’ve been accused of wildfire-related value gouging, his workplace introduced Friday.

“The worth gouging that we’re seeing and listening to about must cease now,” Bonta stated in a launch. “These letters are simply one in every of many instruments my workplace is utilizing to cease this criminal activity. Could they function declaration that we’re taking swift motion, and we is not going to cease till the worth gouging does.”

On-line listings have proven landlords jacking up costs 50% or extra above what marketed rents had been previous to final week’s fires, far in extra of the ten% will increase allowed underneath the legislation. Activist teams have cobbled collectively spreadsheets of alleged violators and pressed authorities to take motion.

The letters notify recipients that they’re topic to a value gouging criticism and place them on discover of the legislation’s provisions and penalties for violating it. Along with the letters, Bonta famous that his workplace has lively felony investigations into value gouging.

Additionally on Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an government order prohibiting evictions towards tenants who shelter a number of folks displaced by the wildfires even when doing so would in any other case violate lease provisions.

“Opening your house of residence to assist shelter these in want just isn’t solely inspired and beneficiant, however deserves to be protected,” Newsom stated in a launch.

Newsom’s order is in impact till March 8.

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