Reports of Airbnb price gouging come as the company has positioned itself as a major player in wildfire relief efforts
Feb 11, 2025
Following January’s Eaton and Palisades fires, short-term rental rates in Los Angeles surged, with some Airbnb hosts tripling prices as evacuees sought housing. Better Neighbors LA, a housing activist coalition, reported over 3,200 cases of alleged price gouging, calling for stricter enforcement and legal action.
Key takeaways
- Widespread price increases: Over 3,200 cases of illegal rent hikes exceeding the 10% legal limit were reported across L.A. County, affecting 1,450 listings within the city and 1,750 nearby;
- Legal actions initiated: California’s price gouging law was triggered after the state of emergency on Jan. 7. Criminal charges have been filed, and L.A.’s City Attorney sued rental company Blueground for raising rates by over 50%;
- Airbnb’s role: Airbnb claimed Better Neighbors’ data was inaccurate but did not provide evidence. While Airbnb says it blocks illegal price increases, cases like “Superhost” Andy’s 49% hike suggest gaps in enforcement.
Get the full story at LA Public Press
