()Rent skyrocketed as much as 150% in the aftermath of the wildfires that have decimated parts of Los Angeles County displacing thousands.

The figures come from a Washington Post analysis of listings data from RentCast, which found in some places median rent prices rose from 20% up to 150% reflecting ongoing price gouging that has left many with little options. 

California law prohibits price-gouging after an emergency has been declared, meaning that individuals and businesses cannot increase the price of goods and services such as gas or rentals by more than 10% from before the emergency was declared.

Protections related to housing are generally in effect for 30 days. Gov. Gavin Newsom extended prohibitions on motel, hotel and rental housing to March 8.

But it appears many landlords have been flouting these laws as demand for housing surges. 

The Washington Post analyzed the prices of about 1,700 rental units posted in the two weeks before the wildfires began on Jan. 7 and nearly 3,000 listed after across Los Angeles County, including in the city of Los Angeles.

The listings included different property types, from apartments to single-family homes, which saw the largest increase in price, 24 percent, the outlet reported. 

In nearly 30 cities in Los Angeles County, the median rent for homes listed within two weeks after the fires began increased much more than 10% compared with those listed within two weeks before the fires, the analysis showed. 

In Inglewood, Los Angeles and Glendale rents went up by 20% for some homes. And in Glendora and Beverly Hills, median rent prices rose as much as 150%. 

Price-gouging is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and $10,000 fine for each violation.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is investigating tips of rent gouging and so far has issued more than 500 warning letters to hotels and landlords accused of violations, according to the Post. 

Wildfires have destroyed at least 10,000 homes, and more are expected to crumble creating more of a demand for places to live.

Rafael Carbajal, who heads the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs for the county, told the Post his office has received more than 600 price-gouging complaints in just a few weeks.

During the entire first year of the pandemic, when people were rapidly relocating, the office received fewer than 400 complaints.