The Brief

The ash hadn’t yet settled on thousands of destroyed homes when eagle-eyed tenant advocates started noticing the massive rent increases posted on a popular real estate website.

Within days of the historic fires in Los Angeles County, advocates began tracking listings for rental housing on Zillow that raised asking rents far above the 10% limit under California’s law banning post-disaster price gouging.

Now, after weeks of combing through listings (more below on the methodology), a group of volunteer rent gouging investigators has released their analysis, which they say is evidence of widespread illegal activity.

The study’s findings

Calling themselves The Rent Brigade, the group released a study Monday with their findings:

• Between Jan. 7 and Jan. 18, a total of 1,343 listings on Zillow appear to have violated the state’s price gouging ban.
• Those listings appear to have collectively sought to illegally overcharge tenants by $7.7 million per month, or $92.4 million per year.
• Rent hikes outside of legal limits were steeper on the lower end of L.A.’s housing market. The bottom quartile of listings by price saw a 46% median rent increase compared with a 27% increase in the top quartile. [Keep in mind that 10% is the post-disaster cap.]
• ZIP codes in areas including West Hollywood, Malibu and Venice had the most listings that appear to be over legal limits. But lower-income neighborhoods like Koreatown and Vermont Square also had high numbers of listings.
• Of the 1,343 listings analyzed, the study’s authors said Compass had 58 listings that appear to exceed legal increases, the most of any single real estate brokerage.

In her day job, Chelsea Kirk is a policy director with Strategic Actions for a Just Economy, an L.A. tenant rights nonprofit. She said she independently started this effort to track rent gouging by launching a crowd-sourced online spreadsheet.

“For lack of a better word, it became viral,” she said.

One alarming conclusion from analyzing all this data, Kirk said, is that more dramatic rent hikes have been happening on traditionally lower-priced housing.

“One of the most surprising things was seeing how widespread this is, not just in affluent areas,” Kirk said.

How the study came about

The Rent Brigade is a new independent collective made up of tenant advocates, web programmers, housing researchers and ordinary Angelenos. Those involved in the effort say they naturally gravitated toward working together after posts about alleged rent gouging flooded social media in the days after the fires.

Lauren Harper said they got involved after seeing an Instagram post by Kirk about her efforts to build a crowd-sourced rent gouging spreadsheet.

“I messaged her and said, ‘Hey, I think we can scrape that data,’” Harper said. “I got very quickly swept into this whole project.”

Initially, the group relied on user submissions to collect data on listings, looking for rentals where rates were increased above legal limits. By Jan. 15, tech savvy volunteers with The Rent Brigade had built a tool to systematically scrape data from Zillow listings in L.A. County.

Kirk said more than 150 volunteers have now contributed to this work.

“I've been fielding a lot of questions about who's responsible for this spreadsheet,” Kirk said. “We're just a group of people. But what connects us is that we're all Angelenos and we're really pissed off about what we're seeing in terms of rent gouging being rampant across the city in the wake of the wildfires. And we're committed to doing something about it.”

How the data was gathered

Monday’s study combines user submissions that have been filtered along with that scraped data to conclude that 1,343 listings appear to have broken the state’s price gouging law in one of two ways.

• Either the listings had increased their pre-fire asking rents by more than 10% in the days after the fires
• Or they newly came on the market after the fires at more than 160% of the area’s Fair Market Rent as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The study found 442 listings that increased pre-existing rents by more than 10% after the fires. But the majority (901 listings) were new listings that violated the Fair Market Rent threshold.

“There’s a question about all of these empty listings that are suddenly coming onto the market,” Harper said. “We're really interested in using this data set for further questions about vacancy rates in Los Angeles and getting a better picture of what's happening in the rental market.”

The study’s limitations 

The study comes with some important caveats. Without a detailed investigation of each listing, it’s impossible to be certain that they all violated the law. Zillow users can sometimes misclassify or inaccurately input data for their listings, the study’s authors note.

In response to LAist’s questions about the study, Zillow representatives said they have already taken down many listings that appear to have illegally raised rents.

In an emailed statement, a company spokesperson said, “We believe it is essential for housing providers to follow local housing rules, including consumer protections against price gouging during and following a natural disaster, and we are providing resources to help them understand their responsibilities.”

LAist reached out to Compass to ask about the study’s findings, but we have not yet received a response.

Anne Russell, president of the Greater Los Angeles Realtors Association, said in an email to LAist, "Our association fields calls every day from our members with questions about the price gouging law to make sure that they are complying with both the letter and the spirit of the law. Realtors have a duty under the law and the Realtor code of ethics to not partake in rent gouging, and we would encourage anyone who feels that they are encountering price gouging in the market to report it to the Attorney General or the relevant authorities.”

What’s next for anti-rent gouging efforts

Prosecutors have started enforcement of the state’s price gouging laws.

Last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed criminal charges against an L.A.-area real estate agent over alleged rent gouging for a La Cañada Flintridge home, allegations the agent strongly denied. The listing at the center of that case was on The Rent Brigade’s spreadsheet. Bonta has said more investigations are in the works.

Kirk said it’s not clear that threats of enforcement are deterring landlords and agents. Even after prosecutors pledged to crack down, the study finds that listings appearing to break the law grew, with the most of any single day posted on Jan. 16 — more than a week after the fires broke out.

“I kind of expected that it would be curbed — that we would see it kind of taper off,” Kirk said. “But I'm actually feeling like people are learning, oh, I can do this.”

The Southern California Muslim community during the early to mid-20th century became more diverse, but the visibility of Muslims in SoCal didn’t significantly increase until the creation of new Islamic institutions and hubs like the Islamic Society of Orange County.

Community pillars like the Islamic Society of Orange County (ISOC), located in Garden Grove, allow Muslims in Southern Calfironia to connect with their faith and explore their religious identities in a rapidly changing society.

With the holy month of Ramadan underway, the Islamic Society of Orange County is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Muzammil Siddiqi, director and Islamic scholar for ISOC, who has served the community since 1981, recently joined LAist’s daily news program AirTalk with Larry Mantle, along with Deana Helmy, chair of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, to talk about the community center’s impact on the region over the past five decades.

How ISOC got its start

Muslims began arriving in Southern California as early as the 20th century, with roots primarily from South Asian Punjabi descent and the Middle East.

“It was a small number,” said Sidiqqi. “They started gathering at religious services and learning about the Quran within their families.”

As numbers continued to increase, particularly after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Muslims in Southern California formed the basis of the ISOC, and in 1976, it became the first mosque in Orange County.

The Islamic Society of Orange county serves thousands of Muslims with prayer, educational, and counseling services, including a youth group.

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“At the time, when the community bought this place, they thought it was too big for them,” said Sidiqqi, adding, “Soon a large number of people started coming, and we had to buy neighboring properties.”

Today, the SoCal muslim community is diverse, as people from the Middle East, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, Latin America and descendants from Europe attend ISOC and share it as a community space.

“The Mother Mosque”

The Islamic Society of Orange County has grown to become the largest Muslim community center in Southern California, serving more than 10,000 followers throughout the area.

“That’s why we call it the mother mosque,” Sidiqqi said.

The mosque is more than just a place for worship for Muslims in SoCal; it's a community center.

“I actually attended the elementary school at ISOC called Orange Crescent School,” Helmy said.

Orange Crescent School is located within the Islamic Society of Orange County Masjid premises in Garden Grove. It currently offers full-time schooling from preschool to 8th grade, and intends to expand its reach and become the first Islamic High School in Orange County.

Children's backpacks hang outside of a classroom at the Orange Crescent School located on the grounds of the Garden Grove mosque.

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“All subjects that are taught in other schools are taught here. Aside from that, they learn the Arabic language and Islamic studies,” Sidiqqi said. “We emphasize very much the moral character of our students, according to Islamic traditions.”

AirTalk listeners also weighed in and shared the role ISOC plays in their lives.

Adis in the city of Orange told Larry, “My dad was the first president of the youth group organized in the masjid, and my mom was very involved in organizing as well,” adding, “that was the first place where they met, and it was history from there.”

“I just go to hang out with my daughter sometimes over the weekend,” said LAist reporter Yusra Farzan, adding, “They have cool Friday night programs for kids.”

Equality, leadership, and interfaith outreach

In addition to making inroads with the Muslim society-at-large, ISOC has also played a crucial role in acknowledging the need for women's representation in its organization.

“Leadership at the masjid has always elevated and highlighted women,” said Helmy, adding that ISOC has “really ensured that women have the space and place to belong, to be able to speak up and to be encouraged to take on leadership roles.”

ISOC offers a variety of services and programs that aim to educate people about Islam and debunk misconceptions and myths about the faith. Sidiqqi recalled being in the nation’s capital the day of the 9/11 attacks, telling Mantle that he was actually invited by President George W. Bush to participate in the interfaith service that was held at the Washington National Cathedral.

“This has been our work at the ISOC. Bringing understanding, reconciliation, peace, and harmony,” he said. “These have been the teachings of Islam, and so we invite people to come learn about the faith.”

You can listen to the full AirTalk SoCal History segment here.

President Donald Trump called the Supreme Court's decision against his sweeping use of tariffs "deeply disappointing" and slammed the members of the court who ruled against him.

Trump called the justices who opposed his tariffs "fools" and "lapdogs," charging that they were acting because of liberal partisanship, though three of those ruling against him were appointed by Republican presidents and two were Trump appointees.

"I think it is deeply disappointing, and I'm ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what's right for our country," he said.

The court — in a 6 to 3 decision —found that a law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose tariffs.

The ruling was the president's most significant defeat at the Supreme Court since he returned to office, and threatens to upend one of Trump's favorite and most powerful tools of his economic and foreign policy agenda.

The decision injects even more uncertainty into the future of tariffs, but Trump made clear that he has no plans on giving up on his agenda.

Calling it his "favorite word in the dictionary," Trump has repeatedly credited his use of tariffs with helping him stop wars and pressure world leaders to bend to U.S. interests.

He boasted about the economic benefits. A recent Congressional Budget Office report found that tariffs were expected to help reduce the deficits by about $3 trillion over a decade. But that same report found that U.S. consumers - not foreign companies - were paying the vast majority of that money.

But while talking with reporters Friday, Trump sought to put a positive spin on the court decision. He said that it would provide certainty for the U.S. economy and that he plans to seek alternatives, which he laid out specifically.

"Their decision's incorrect. But it doesn't matter, because we have very powerful alternatives that have been approved by this decision," he said.

Trump cited a dissent written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh who listed laws that the administration could pursue, including "the Trade Act of 1974 sections 122, 201, 301, and the Tariff Act of 1930 section 338."

He acknowledged that those processes may be more cumbersome, but had stronger legal standing. He also cited Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, that allows the president to impose tariffs to address trade deficits. But those tariffs are limited to 15%, and only for 150 days, after which Congress would have to approve them.

"While I am sure that they did not mean to do so, the Supreme Court's decision today made the President's ability to both regulate trade and impose tariffs more powerful and more crystal clear, rather than less. I don't think they meant that. I'm sure they didn't," Trump said.

And he said he would sign an executive order today to continue certain tariffs under alternative authorities, including adding a "10% global tariff."

That rule would also eventually need approval from Congress, after 150 days, which could be difficult with an election approaching.

Republicans are facing pressure from constituents about high costs and the business community that is afraid to invest with all the economic uncertainty.

A recent NPR/Marist poll finds that a majority of Americans — 56% — feel tariffs or fees on imported products from other countries hurts the U.S. economy.

The former Senate majority leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell praised the Supreme Court's decision.

"Congress' role in trade policy, as I have warned repeatedly, is not an inconvenience to avoid," the Kentucky Republican said. "If the executive would like to enact trade policies that impact American producers and consumers, its path forward is crystal clear: convince their representatives under Article 1" of the Constitution."

But Trump, who has expressed frustration with gridlock in Congress, expressed confidence that he would continue to be able to employ tariffs unilaterally.

"Foreign countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic," Trump said. They are so happy and they're dancing in the streets. But they won't be dancing for long. That I can assure you."
Copyright 2026 NPR

A judge has ruled that the city of Los Angeles cannot move forward with a program that would allow local officials to remove and dismantle more recreational vehicles the city deems a nuisance.

The city planned to roll out a new state law that gives L.A. County authority to dispose of abandoned or inoperable RVs worth up to $4,000. The previous threshold was $500.

Some city officials who support the new law say L.A. must have the tools to get unsafe and unsanitary RVs off the streets for good.

But opponents argued the law does not apply to the city of L.A. — only the county — and that the city’s “illegal” actions would harm vulnerable Angelenos who live in RVs, according to court documents.

In a new ruling issued Thursday, Superior Court Judge Curtis A. Kin agreed with the opponents. The judge said the new law “provides no such authority to the City of Los Angeles.”

The backstory

The ruling stems from a legal challenge by a coalition of housed and unhoused residents in West L.A. around the city’s implementation of Assembly Bill 630, which became law Jan. 1.

The L.A. City Council voted in December to approve a motion instructing various city departments to “immediately implement” the law.

The CD11 Coalition for Human Rights then asked a judge to intervene, claiming L.A. is “recklessly charging ahead” with a program it’s not authorized to execute, according to court documents.

What the officials say

Councilmember Traci Park, who introduced the council motion in October, told LAist previously that nuisance RVs create health and safety issues that put entire neighborhoods at risk. Park said residents want solutions, not frivolous lawsuits.

Shayla Myers, an attorney with Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, told LAist after the ruling Thursday that the lawsuits aren’t frivolous when the petitioners keep winning.

“It is incredibly unclear why the city did not simply accept the plain language of AB 630 and instead forced our client to go to court, wasting court resources, city resources at a time when the city doesn't have resources to spare,” Myers said.

City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto’s office did not respond to LAist’s requests for comment on the city’s implementation of AB 630.

What’s next

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass proposed AB 630 in partnership with Assemblymember Mark González, who introduced the California assembly bill. González said in a statement to LAist last month that his office is “working with our partners to clarify the law to ensure the City can fully implement AB 630."

González has introduced another bill, AB 647, that would expand the language of the law to include “any public agency” within L.A. County.

Go deeper: West LA coalition challenges city's rollout of new RV law