If you thought LA’s rental market was competitive before, buckle up—because the aftermath of January’s wildfires is making things even harder for renters across the city. With more than 16,000 homes and buildings destroyed in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, thousands of displaced tenants are scrambling to find housing in an already tight and expensive market: rising rents, illegal price gouging, and the failure of city officials to implement meaningful tenant protections, many Angelenos are struggling just to stay housed. This week, we’re breaking down how the fires are impacting the rental market—and what renters can do to protect themselves.

The January fires destroyed over 16,000 homes, businesses, and buildings across LA County. Entire neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades and Altadena were leveled, displacing thousands of people—many of whom were renters.

Now, those displaced renters are competing for the same limited housing as everyone else, adding fuel to LA’s already severe housing crisis.

Simply put: Housing was already tough before the fires. Now, it’s even worse.

California law prohibits landlords from raising rent more than 10% in disaster-affected areas, but enforcement is lacking. Some landlords are jacking up rents anyway, assuming displaced tenants are desperate.

✅ Check past rental prices – Use sites like Zillow, Apartments.com, or Rentometer to see what the unit was listed for before the fires.

✅ Report violations – If your landlord raises rent above 10%, you can file a complaint with:

✅ Know your local rent control laws – Many LA renters are covered by the Tenant Protection Act, which caps rent hikes at 8.9% for many buildings over 15 years old. LA also has a stricter 4% cap for rent-stabilized apartments.

Many renters hoped that LA City Council would pass eviction protections for tenants who lost their jobs due to the fires. That didn’t happen.

Despite weeks of debate, the proposal failed to get enough votes. It would have:
❌ Given renters a legal defense in eviction court if they couldn’t pay rent due to wildfire-related income loss.
❌ Capped late rent payments at three months of Fair Market Rent.
❌ Required tenants to provide documentation of lost income due to the fires.

With no new eviction protections in place, renters struggling with income loss may be at risk of eviction. If you’re facing eviction, reach out to Stay Housed LA or legal aid groups for help.

With LA’s rental market tightening, some renters are looking at more affordable areas nearby. Here are a few SoCal cities where rents remain (relatively) lower:

📍 San Bernardino – Median rent: $1,750 (Much cheaper than LA, but longer commute times).
📍 Lancaster – Median rent: $1,900 (A growing city with more affordable rental options).
📍 Long Beach – Median rent: $2,200 (More affordable than many LA neighborhoods but still competitive).
📍 Riverside – Median rent: $2,100 (Growing rental market, slightly lower prices than LA).

For renters looking to stay in LA but cut costs, areas like El Sereno, Wilmington, and Panorama City tend to have slightly lower rents compared to other parts of the city.

The fires have exposed the cracks in LA’s rental market. With rising rents, price gouging, and a lack of strong eviction protections, renters are left to navigate this crisis with little support.

🔥 If you’re dealing with rent hikes, eviction threats, or housing struggles, stay informed and know your rights.

💬 What’s your housing situation like post-wildfires? Reply to this email or DM us on Instagram (@TheTenureView) to share your story.

We’re here for you, LA renters. 💙🏠