Rent Brigade
Coverage of Rent Brigade in the Nexus archive.
- LA real estate agent will pay $20K and face probation in post-Eaton Fire rent hike case
A real estate agent named Mike Kobeissi, known as 'Mr La Cañada,' was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay $20,000 after facing criminal charges related to a 38% post-fire rent hike. The California Attorney General's Office initially charged him with price gouging following the Eaton Fire but secured a conviction for false advertising instead. Kobeissi was required to pay a fine, perform community service, and submit an apology letter to the affected couple.
- Eaton Fire victims sue landlords over rental gouging
An Altadena family is suing their former landlords, Terrence and Catalina Chow, for allegedly charging nearly three times the legal maximum rent after the Eaton Fire. The lawsuit claims the landlords collected illegal rent for 10 months despite warnings from authorities, with the family forced to pay $15,000 monthly instead of the lawful $5,032.50. The case seeks restitution, damages, and penalties, highlighting widespread rental price gouging post-wildfires.