As Porter Ranch Residents Look For Temporary Homes, Some Accuse Landlords Of Price-Gouging

PORTER RANCH (CBSLA.com) — Porter Ranch residents fleeing the massive natural gas leak in Aliso Canyon have a new concern -- finding an affordable place to relocate.

Porter Ranch residents say as they have begun testing the rental markets in other San Fernando Valley communities, landlords have jacked up their rents.

Vikki Salmela, who said she was seeking to relocate after suffering from emphysema, found a new rental in Studio City for $6,200 a month. But the deal fell apart after the landlord raised the rent by $2,000.

Porter Ranch residents can receive as much as $9,000 from the Southern California Gas Co. to be used for relocation expenses. But Salmela said the money is supposed to help displaced residents, not opportunist landlords.

"The relocation is to help those of us who really need to get out of here, not the landlords," she said.

Salmela said she could be amenable to a more modest rent increase, but the $2,000 increase was too much for her stomach.

"It's depressing when you're ill and you've been working so hard to get out," she said.

Real estate agent Mel Stewart said he's seen price-gouging in the area.

"Landlords that would normally get $2,500 to $4,000 are now asking for $8,500," he said.