Lar Sevan Chouljian of Staff Rock Properties in Glendale allegedly provided a household who evacuated the Eaton Fireplace a rental whose asking worth exceeded its authentic worth by greater than 50 %. Chouljian has denied the accusation.
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A second Los Angeles-area actual property agent has been charged with worth gouging within the wake of harmful wildfires which have displaced 1000’s, California Legal professional Basic Rob Bonta’s workplace introduced on Monday.
After reviewing complaints obtained by the California Division of Justice (DOJ), an investigation confirmed {that a} household who evacuated the Eaton Fireplace and inquired about renting a Glendale dwelling have been provided a rental worth that exceeded the house’s authentic itemizing worth by greater than 50 %, in keeping with Monday’s press launch.
It’s in opposition to the legislation for actual property brokers and landlords to boost costs by greater than 10 % whereas LA County is below an emergency order in response to the wildfires. The Southern California agent charged with worth gouging is Lar Sevan Chouljian, who’s at present licensed with Staff 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,” Legal professional Basic Bonta mentioned in an announcement. “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 | Staff Rock Properties
Chouljian didn’t instantly reply to Inman’s request for remark, however she informed 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 imagine they’ve been victims of worth gouging can report it to native authorities, by submitting a report at oag.ca.gov/report or by calling the lawyer common workplace’s hotline at (800) 952-5225.
Along with contacting authorities, the lawyer common’s workplace beneficial that customers embrace screenshots of any correspondence they’d with people who allegedly worth gouged, present something that reveals what worth was provided and by whom, take screenshots of an inventory’s worth 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 info, social media accounts and addresses.
On Jan. 14, Zillow revealed 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 legislation. The portal additionally informed Inman that it’s been taking down listings that violate the legislation.
“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 informed 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 criticism was filed in LA Superior Courtroom on Monday in opposition to Chouljian. If criminally convicted, she may face one yr in jail and/or a positive of as much as $10,000. If charged civilly, she may face a penalty of as much as $2,500 per violation.
Final week, Mike Kobeissi, president and dealer of Kobeissi Properties, was charged by Legal professional Basic Bonta’s workplace for allegedly worth gouging on a rental property in La Cañada Flintridge, California. Kobeissi denied the cost and informed Inman that the property in query had really been rented out to some at a reduction as a result of they have been wildfire evacuees.
