The City of Burbank is urging residents to be on the alert for price gouging. The city sent out the alert message yesterday saying it has received “complaints and concerns regarding price gouging, specifically rental rate gouging” since the wildfire disaster began Tuesday, January 7, in the Southland.
Also, the governor’s office has issued an emergency declaration making it unlawful for any seller to increase the cost of essential consumer goods or services (more than 10%) during an emergency or disaster. The city reminds everyone: “This includes any property owner/agent who unlawfully raises rents more than 10% above prices advertised before the declaration. Any violation of Penal Code section 396 is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in county jail for a period not exceeding one year, a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both fine and imprisonment.”
The city advises anyone who has encountered this kind of violation to report it to the ” Los Angeles Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, the Attorney General’s Office, or the Burbank Police Department. Any such reports to the Burbank Police Department should be made in person. The City Attorney’s Office is prepared to fully prosecute any such crimes and hold violators accountable. Should you believe price gouging is occurring, please retain receipts, invoices, and/or any other records detailing the incident.”
For more information, you can visit the websites of LA County Consumer & Business Affairs and the Attorney General’s Office. Also, Burbank has a web page dedicated to updates, advisories, and more related to the recent high winds and wildfires.
