
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued numerous executive orders over the past week and a half to mitigate the effects of the L.A. wildfire crisis. Some recent legislation is aimed at protecting people from evictions and price gouging related to the fires. Here’s a quick breakdown.
On January 17th, 2025, Newsom banned evictions based on tenants hosting fire survivors. This executive order will prohibit L.A. County landlords from evicting tenants who are sharing their rental with people displaced by the wildfires through March 8, 2025. Some landlords may be using the “unlawful detainer process” to evict renters who violate a term of their lease relevant to sheltering victims, and the executive order prohibits this process temporarily. It does not prohibit landlords from enforcing other lease terms like property damage or criminal activity.
“At a time when so many have been suddenly displaced, we need more housing and shelter than ever. Opening your place of residence to help shelter those in need is not only encouraged and generous, but deserves to be protected,” said Newsom.
Executive orders have also addressed the issue of price gouging, or the practice of increasing prices on a good or service due to supply and demand changes after a natural disaster. On January 12th, Newsom expanded protections from price gouging on building materials, storage services, construction, and more essential services for one year. On the 16th, he expanded price gouging protections to further include hotel, motel, or rental housing through March 8, 2025. Under these protections, it is unlawful for a landlord or business entity to increase an advertised rental price by more than 10%.
If you experience price gouging, disaster-related scams, or other misconduct and violations, you can report it to the Office of the Attorney General at OAG.ca.gov/LAFires, or call the hotline at (800) 952-5225.
See a full breakdown of Newsom’s recent wildfire-related executive orders at Gov.ca.gov.