Jason Oppenheim condemns price gouging amid LA wildfire devastation: ‘This is not the time be profiting’

Jason Oppenheim, one of the leading voices in Southern California’s real estate industry and star of the Netflix reality show “Selling Sunset,” spoke to CNN in an interview about offering his brokerage’s services for free to those who were impacted by the deadly LA wildfires and how he became one of the first notable figures to sound the alarm about illegal price gouging.

As one of the leading voices in Southern California’s real estate industry and star of the Netflix reality show “Selling Sunset,” Jason Oppenheim was quick to find his role in the recovery effort amid the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, which have left thousands of people displaced. He offered his brokerage’s services for free to those who were impacted and was one of the first notable figures to sound the alarm about illegal price gouging. “Landlords shouldn’t be considering trying to get people to outbid each other right now. That’s not profiting,” Oppenheim told CNN in an interview on Wednesday. “I’m all for free market dynamics but not after a natural disaster. This is not the time to be profiting.” Oppenheim said he’s had no patience for landlords or property owners looking to take advantage of people who have just lost their homes. He’s not above outright hanging up on those who try, he said, even if it’s somebody he and his team have previously worked with. Price gouging is illegal under California Penal Code 396, which prohibits landlords and other businesses from raising rents by more than 10% after a state of emergency has been declared. Several deadly wildfires have set Los Angeles County ablaze since last week. The coastal Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, on LA’s East side, have burned tens of thousand of acres and destroyed thousands of structures. At least 25 people have died and dozens are still missing, authorities have said. With so many of the Oppenheim Group’s real estate clients impacted by these fires, Oppenhiem said his agency is focused on playing their part in the relief effort.