Los Angeles Times

After the flames, allegations of rent-gouging fly in devastated wine country communities

Kalen Wehagen thought her troubles were over after her apartment survived the wildfires that ripped through California's wine country.

But the sense of relief wouldn't last long. Within weeks, Wehagen said her family was handed a 60-day eviction notice. She said the property owner informed them that their Santa Rosa apartment would be remodeled and that they could return if they paid an extra $700 a month in rent - after already hiking the rent 10 percent.

Scores of residents like Wehagen have alleged rent gouging after the October firestorms torched thousands of homes,

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