What Renters Should Know About Searching for a Rental During a State of Emergency
In times of crisis, such as natural disasters, renters may face the additional challenge of price gouging, an illegal practice where housing providers significantly increase the rental price of a home following an emergency declaration. At Trulia, we are committed to fostering a fair and respectful marketplace for renters and landlords, which means our users need to follow applicable housing laws.
Here are some things to know during the state of emergency due to the LA wildfires in California:
Understand the Price Gouging Law:
You should familiarize yourself with state and local housing laws, especially those related to price gouging during a state of emergency. For instance, following the declaration of an emergency due to the LA wildfires in California, state law barred increases to the rental price of a property by more than 10% if the home was listed before the state of emergency was declared. If you’re a housing provider, you can learn more about your responsibilities on our landlord resource page.
Report Violations to Trulia and Authorities:
If you suspect price gouging, report the listing to both Trulia and your state Attorney General’s office or local authorities. Trulia has systems in place to flag and remove potential violations. Trulia’s Help Center explains the process to report a listing for potential violations. Additionally, you can flag listings that potentially violate our Respectful Renting Pledge by emailing reviewlistingsupport@zillow.com.
You can report listings that you believe are in violation to local authorities:
Stay Alert to Avoid Scams:
High-demand situations can attract bad actors in the rental market. Protect yourself by verifying that listings are legitimate, avoid payments before viewing a property, and staying vigilant for potential red flags. Being proactive can help ensure a safe and reliable rental experience. For more tips, read how to recognize and avoid rental fraud.
Know Your Rights as a Tenant:
Property managers or landlords cannot evict tenants without following lawful procedures, even during a state of emergency. Evictions must comply with legal requirements, such as providing proper notice and adhering to lease terms. Read more about residential tenant rights under California law.
We believe in promoting fair renting practices and providing resources to help both renters and landlords understand their responsibilities. By staying informed and proactive, renters can better protect themselves against price gouging or other potential red flags.
For more information on California state of emergency laws, visit the California Attorney General’s website.
Additional resources for those impacted by the Southern California wildfires are available at Ca.gov/LAfires.
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