Netflix star accuses Los Angeles landlords of illegal price gouging amid devastating fires

Jason Oppenheim, star of Netflix’s Selling Sunset, has accused Los Angeles landlords of illegally price gouging rental rates amid the city’s devastating fires.

In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, Oppenheim, who co-runs the Oppenheim Group with his twin brother, called for the exploitative practice to be exposed.

“We’re having landlords taking advantage of the situation,” he said.

The Los Angeles fires, which began nearly a week ago, have killed at least 24 people, left dozens missing, and destroyed thousands of structures, including homes. The total area burned is now larger than Paris.

Oppenheim shared the example of a client who went to view a rental property that was initially asking for US$13,000 a month. He said his client offered US$20,000 a month and six months of rent paid upfront, but the landlord responded by asking for US$23,000 a month.

“There are price-gouging laws in California that are just being ignored right now,” he said. “This isn’t the time to be taking advantage of situations, and it’s also illegal to take advantage of a natural disaster.”