Rents will go up as thousands of displaced homeowners and tenants hit an already tight market, analysts and advocates said. Insurance costs, contracting and permitting are among the myriad of stressors added to L.A.’s housing challenges, many of which were already at risk of worsening.
There is a post-disaster price-gouging law in California preventing just this from happening. Rent is included.
https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/pricegougingduringdisasters#8C1
https://www.kqed.org/news/12021308/wildfire-los-angeles-price-gouging-palisades-eaton-hurst-lidia-sunset-fires
"Violations of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violations are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief and mandatory restitution.
The Attorney General, local district attorneys, and private individuals can bring actions for violations of the statute."