The commencement of a new year should represent a fresh start, new beginnings, and a hopeful future. However, 2025 has only brought devastation to Los Angeles’s residents.
Throughout history, California has suffered from various wildfires due to its lack of rain and very warm temperatures that dry out the abundant vegetation. Still, this latest instance might be the worst and most complicated yet.
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According to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Los Angeles fires began on Jan. 7 and have burned around 38,629 acres of major landmarks in the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst areas. These wildfires have yet to be fully contained and continue to destroy everything in their way, leaving thousands of people without homes and dozens dead.Â
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In addition to losing their homes, California homeowners affected by the fires now have more worries to add to their endless lists: Those lucky enough to have coverage on their burned-down homes now have to battle with their insurance companies, and those without protection are left to fend for themselves amid rising rental prices.
Firefighters watch the flames from the Palisades Fire burning a home during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
Big insurance companies refuse coverage to wildfire-exposed communities
Even before the fires broke out, big insurance companies had been denying coverage for California homeowners with properties prone to natural disasters, including those in high-risk wildfire areas. This has forced them to depend on emergency state insurance programs whose payouts aren’t enough to fully cover the value of most homes.
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In 2023, the Senate Budget Committee began examining climate change’s risks to insurance, mortgage, and property markets in coastal and wildfire-exposed communities, which has caused a spike in non-renewal rates and premiums.
The study concluded, “Climate change poses a destabilizing threat to the U.S. economy and global financial systems.”
‘Selling Sunset’ Jason Oppenheim accuses landlords of price gougingÂ
Celebrity relator Jason Oppenheim from the Netflix (NFLX)  show ‘Selling Sunset’ called out landlords for price gouging in Los Angeles after the ongoing devastating fires that have destroyed many residents’ homes and taken the lives of at least 24 people.
J. Oppenheim owns a luxury real estate brokerage company called The Oppenheim Group, which is featured on the Netflix show ‘Selling Sunset.’
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The celebrity realtor claims in an interview with the BBC that landlords are taking advantage of and profiting from those affected by the Los Angeles fires by charging insanely high rental prices. They carelessly ignore California’s price-gouging laws, which don’t allow them to charge more than 10% above pre-disaster market rates.
“[My client] offered $20,000 a month and he offered to pay six months upfront and the landlord said ‘I want $23,000,'” he said. “There are price gouging laws in California, they’re just being ignored right now, and this isn’t the time to be taking advantage of situations.”
Price gouging occurs when businesses raise the prices of goods, services, or commodities to very high and unreasonable levels due to a sudden rise in demand due to a black swan event, which, in this case, involves a natural disaster. This practice is illegal, and penalties vary depending on the state.Â
‘Selling Sunset’ Jason Oppenheim posts a generous video on Instagram, fans reactÂ
In a video posted by J. Oppenheim on his personal Instagram, he announced that all Oppenheim Group agents will represent anyone who has lost their home in Los Angeles due to the fires for free or credit back any commission received in the transaction.
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‘Selling Sunset’ fans and multiple netizens bombarded J. Oppenheim’s video reacting to his generous offer.
One user commented, “You guys are such a light in this dark time. May you continue to be blessed.🙏❤️ Thank you so much!!!”
Another user commented, “Love this! This is what the world needs right now ❤️🙏”
A fan of the Netflix show commented, “I’m so proud of you and your agents—my favorite show. It inspires me how successful you guys are and that some of you, including yourself, are still real people. I only watch one reality show, and that’s yours. God bless you and your agents for what you’re doing for these people.”
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