After wildfires swept through Los Angeles in early 2025, a state of emergency triggered rent-gouging protections meant to cap rent increases. Despite these laws, landlords across L.A. dramatically raised rents — many well above legal limits — with little enforcement. A volunteer group called Rent Brigade documented over 5,000 suspected violations and released a report showing that many landlords responsible also donated over $300,000 to the very officials tasked with enforcing the law.
Only nine landlords have been charged so far, and critics argue that local prosecutors are avoiding action, despite strong evidence and political pressure. The report highlights well-known landlords and corporations, including Trump associate Steven Witkoff and corporate landlords like Kilroy Realty and AvalonBay…