WHO’S BEHIND THE RENT HIKES? EXPOSING LA’S DISASTER PROFITEERS

The  Report  

KEY FINDINGS

  • Investment vehicles—trusts, LLCs, and other corporate entities vehicles—account for 61% of all rent-gouged listings.

  • Well-known bad actors and institutional landlords like AvalonBay, Equity Residential, Geoff Palmer, and Kilroy Realty are among the top gougers. These companies have long standing track records of abuse against tenants. 

  • 16% of rent-gouged listings live outside of Los Angeles County.

  • Top landlord addresses are concentrated in wealthy enclaves like 90210 (Beverly Hills), 90046 (Hollywood Hills), 90049 (Brentwood), and 90265 (Malibu)

  • The top 10 rent gougers have pent over $40 million to influence local and state politics since 2015, including $300,000 in contributions supporting the election bids of LA City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto ($153,000) LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman ($144,000), and Rob Bonta ($5,000)

In the wake of January’s devastating wildfires, rent gouging surged. Three months later, it hasn’t slowed down.

The Rent Brigade has documented over 7,000 unlawfully gouged rental listings across LA County and the number continues to rise. Our new report uncovers the top 10 landlords and corporate entities driving this crisis, and the political influence they’ve used to get away with it.