Wildfire Affected Your Rental? Tenant Rights and What to Do After a Fire in California
What are wildfire claims?
As a tenant, you have rights—even in the aftermath of disaster. Wildfires can destroy your belongings, force you out of your home or business, and cause serious emotional and financial hardship. If you’ve been affected by a wildfire, you may be able to file a wildfire claim—a legal demand for compensation related to property loss, emotional distress, housing displacement, or damages caused by negligence, often involving utility companies or unmaintained property conditions.
At Southeast Los Angeles Tenant Assistance Group (SELATAG), we help renters understand and pursue wildfire claims. Whether you’re dealing with landlord negligence, insurance issues, or losses caused by a utility company, SELATAG is here to assist you in fighting for the compensation and justice you deserve.
Examples
Example 1: A wildfire forces residents to evacuate. A tenant's apartment building is damaged but not destroyed. The tenant can't live there for weeks because there's no electricity and there's smoke damage. After the fire, the landlord tries to significantly raise the rent.
Example 2: After the Valley Fire, Jacob returned to find his apartment had smoke damage but was structurally sound. His landlord demanded full rent even though Jacob couldn't live there for weeks while cleanup occurred. When Jacob refused to pay, the landlord threatened eviction.
Example 3: Following the Ridge Fire, rental housing was scarce. Elena's landlord raised her rent by 30%, claiming "market conditions" justified the increase. This violated price gouging laws that limit rent increases to 10% after declared emergencies.
Example 4: The Creston Fire forced Maya to evacuate for three weeks. When she returned, her apartment smelled strongly of smoke. The landlord refused to clean the carpet or repaint, saying the unit was "good enough." Maya developed breathing problems from the lingering smoke residue.
Example 5: After the Pine Fire, Sam's apartment building lost power for two months. The landlord provided no alternative housing and still demanded full rent. When other tenants moved out, the landlord immediately re-rented their units at 25% higher rates despite the emergency declaration still being in effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wildfire claim?
Can renters file wildfire claims, or is it only for homeowners?
What can I be compensated for?
Who can be held responsible in a wildfire claim?
Do I need to have renters’ insurance to file a claim?
How long do I have to file a claim?
Where can I get help?