Lar Sevan Chouljian of Crew Rock Properties in Glendale allegedly supplied a household who evacuated the Eaton Fireplace a rental whose asking value exceeded its unique value by greater than 50 p.c. Chouljian has denied the accusation.
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A second Los Angeles-area actual property agent has been charged with value gouging within the wake of damaging wildfires which have displaced hundreds, California Lawyer Basic Rob Bonta’s workplace introduced on Monday.
After reviewing complaints acquired by the California Division of Justice (DOJ), an investigation confirmed {that a} household who evacuated the Eaton Fireplace and inquired about renting a Glendale residence had been supplied a rental value that exceeded the house’s unique itemizing value by greater than 50 p.c, in accordance with Monday’s press launch.
It’s towards the regulation for actual property brokers and landlords to boost costs by greater than 10 p.c whereas LA County is beneath an emergency order in response to the wildfires. The Southern California agent charged with value gouging is Lar Sevan Chouljian, who’s at the moment licensed with Crew Rock Properties, a brokerage primarily based in Glendale, California.
“In the face of natural disaster, we should be coming together to help our neighbors, not attempting to profit off their pain,” Lawyer Basic Bonta mentioned in a press release. “Today’s charges are another example of DOJ’s commitment to put an end to price gouging … May this announcement serve as a stern warning to those who would seek to further victimize people who have lost everything in the face of Southern California’s wildfires: We won’t stop until the price gouging does.”
Lar Sevan Chouljian | Crew Rock Properties
Chouljian didn’t instantly reply to Inman’s request for remark, however she advised LAist in a textual content message that “there was absolutely no price gouging involved, and in fact, the property closed under the 10 percent limit.”
Members of the general public who consider they’ve been victims of value gouging can report it to native authorities, by submitting a report at oag.ca.gov/report or by calling the lawyer normal workplace’s hotline at (800) 952-5225.
Along with contacting authorities, the lawyer normal’s workplace really helpful that customers embody screenshots of any correspondence they’d with people who allegedly value gouged, present something that exhibits what value was supplied and by whom, take screenshots of a list’s value historical past on Zillow or different portals and duplicate a hyperlink to the itemizing, and supply any obtainable details about actual property agent or enterprise proprietor identities, together with their contact data, social media accounts and addresses.
On Jan. 14, Zillow printed a weblog put up focused towards landlords in California with particulars about what to know to be in compliance with the state’s anti-price gouging regulation. The portal additionally advised Inman that it’s been taking down listings that violate the regulation.
“Due to the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area, we’re taking action to help address price gouging on rental listings in the affected areas that appear on our platform,” a Zillow spokesperson advised Inman in an e mail.
“This includes flagging potential violations and removing listings with price increases that exceed the state of emergency threshold. If renters see a potential violation, we encourage them to report the listing to Zillow and California authorities. We believe it is essential for housing providers to follow local housing rules, including consumer protections against price gouging during and following a natural disaster, and we are providing resources to help them understand their responsibilities.”
A legal grievance was filed in LA Superior Courtroom on Monday towards Chouljian. If criminally convicted, she might face one yr in jail and/or a nice of as much as $10,000. If charged civilly, she might face a penalty of as much as $2,500 per violation.
Final week, Mike Kobeissi, president and dealer of Kobeissi Properties, was charged by Lawyer Basic Bonta’s workplace for allegedly value gouging on a rental property in La Cañada Flintridge, California. Kobeissi denied the cost and advised Inman that the property in query had truly been rented out to some at a reduction as a result of they had been wildfire evacuees.
