Los Angeles price gouging is 'inhumane': Real estate agent

(NewsNation) — Officials are warning landlords in the Los Angeles area against price gouging, which is prohibited in California during a state of emergency.

Nikko Santo Pietro, Los Angeles real estate agent and son of "Wheel of Fortune’s" Vanna White, said the supply of housing is “so limited” and that he can only imagine what the fires will continue to do to prices across Los Angeles County.  

California law prohibits raising the cost of goods and services over 10%, a statute that also includes temporary housing. In some cases, such as a dwelling that was not rented or advertised for rent before the disaster, the cap is much higher – 160% of the fair market value.

"We are seeing landlords and agents charging astronomical numbers for rent," Santo Pietro said during an appearance on "Elizabeth Vargas Reports." "It's inhumane. It's not right, morally. It's illegal."

Santo Pietro says he's awaiting guidance from the Department of Real Estate on specific details and said his legal team is awaiting detailed guidance on the law so he can advise tenant and landlord clients.

At least 24 people have died in the Los Angeles area wildfires that have been blazing since last week.

LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday there are 23 active missing persons cases in the county. Seventeen are in the Eaton Fire area, and six are in the Malibu area. All of those reported missing in the county are adults, Luna said. Los Angeles police said they are also working to look for six people unaccounted for in the city.

As the sheriff’s department continues grid-searching the Altadena area, Luna said at a press conference that they are “running across the remains of individual community members.”

“That is not easy work, very sad to report, and I believe that work is not only going to continue, but I believe we’ll continue to find remains,” he said.

On Monday Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said they’re starting to see criminals emerge.

Nearly three dozen people have been arrested for looting since the fires began last week.

Hochman added that price gouging has been happening with hotels and short-term rentals and medical supplies. Scammers are also contacting people for fake GoFundMe efforts, though he said the official organization has done a good job of putting protections against this in place and recommended making such donations through that site.

“The criminals have decided that this is an opportunity and I’m here to tell you this is not an opportunity. You will be arrested,” Hochman said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.