Selling Sunset's Jason Oppenheim reveals sick way landlords are profiting from LA fires

Selling Sunset star Jason Oppenheim has hit out at landlords in Los Angeles who are trying to benefit from the devastating wildfires as he makes telling gesture

As the Los Angeles wildfires continue to devastate the region, a reality TV star has slammed those who are trying to benefit from the disaster.

Jason Oppenheim, star of US reality programme Selling Sunset, has claimed a number of landlords are trying to take advantage of people who have bee displaced due to the fires. The catastrophe began on Tuesday, just north of central LA, with the blazes now having burned more than 12,000 structures. Jason announced a touching gesture following the devastation, offering to represent those who have lost their homes for free.

He has revealed the Oppenheim Group agents have since "received dozens and dozens of calls from people who have lost their homes in the fires".

"It's all hands on deck right now, but it's really difficult because there are thousands of people who are displaced without places to stay", he told BBC One programme Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg. "The hotels are overwhelmed all the way down to Newport Beach and even into San Diego you can't get a hotel room right now."

However, he admits not everyone is trying to help those in need and decided to expose people who are trying to fleece victims. "Unfortunately, and this is something that I want to discuss, because I think it should be exposed, but we're having landlords taking advantage of the situation," he claimed.

"I had a client we sent him to a house that was asking 13,000 dollars (£10,600) a month he offered 20,000 dollars (£16,400) a month, and he offered to pay six months up front. And the landlord said, "No, I want 23,000 dollars (18,800) a month'. You know, there are price-gouging laws in California that are just being ignored right now.

"And this isn't the time to be taking advantage of situations, and it's also illegal to take advantage of a natural disaster."

A number of high-profile celebrities have watched on as their properties have been completely destroyed in the blazes. Among them is Paris Hilton who said she watched her home burn to the ground on live television. "Heartbroken to find out what happened to my house by seeing that it was burned to the ground on live TV," she wrote in an Instagram story, which accompanied a clip of the devastation.

She later added: "Heartbroken beyond words. Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. This home was where we built so many precious memories. It's where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London.

"While the loss is overwhelming, I'm holding onto gratitude that my family and pets are safe. My heart and prayers are going out to every family affected by these fires. To all the people who have lost their homes, their memories, and their beloved pets. My heartaches for those still in harm’s way or mourning greater losses. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking."

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