In California, running an auction can land you in jail

Mansion Global: 

Before the palisades fires, a nearbySanta Monica property was listed at $15,000 per month. But afterwards, the landlord held an auction, and there were 10 to 15 offers on the property, and it rented for nearly $30,000 per month.

But,

During an emergency, California law prohibits raising the price of a rental property by more than 10% of what its price was before the state or local emergency was declared.

And so the problem gets worse,

Fears of penalties have worsened housing woes in the city as many agents refuse to deal with rentals altogether. “Because they’re afraid they’re going to be fined, they’re going to lose their license. That’s creating even further a shortage of housing,” Ravitz said.