I was forced to evacuate my home. Do I still need to pay my mortgage, rent, utilities?

When a disaster strikes, safety is the top priority. But for many Angelenos displaced by the devastating wildfires raging across Los Angeles County, the question of what happens next looms.

The fires destroyed thousands of buildings and forced the evacuation of about 92,000 residents. With some homes vacant and others in ruins, here are the answers you may need.

My home was burned down. Do I still need to pay a mortgage?

Homeowners affected by a disaster are often eligible to reduce or put their homes on hold mortgage payment Up to 12 months, according to the Federal National Mortgage Assn.

If your home was destroyed in a wildfire, contact your mortgage servicer as soon as possible to discuss your options. You may qualify for a forbearance program, which will temporarily lower or eliminate your monthly payments and prevent late fees and foreclosure.

Once your forbearance plan expires, you will eventually have to pay what you owe. Fannie Mae offers resources to avoid one-time charges in these situations, including Disaster Payment Extension.

What about my property taxes?

If your home or business was affected by a storm or fire, you may be eligible for temporary relief property tax relief Through the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office. You should submit a Misfortune or Disaster Claims Request a reassessment of your property.

You are only eligible for a tax deduction if your property damage exceeds $10,000 and you file your claim within 12 months of the accident. If approved, your reduced tax rate will remain in effect until your property is restored or rebuilt.

My rental home or business was damaged or destroyed. Do I still need to pay rent?

Under California law, your rental agreement If a rental unit is completely destroyed in a disaster, the rental unit becomes void. You will no longer have to pay rent, and your landlord must return your security deposit.

If your rental unit is partially destroyed and uninhabitable, you have the option of terminating the rental agreement or waiting for the landlord to make necessary repairs. You do not have to pay rent while you wait for repairs unless you move back into the unit.

If you are a landlord, you are responsible for making repairs after a disaster and have an obligation to make the property habitable as quickly as possible.

The area I live in has not been directly affected by the fires. Will my rent go up?

california Anti-price gouging The law now in effect stipulates that after a state of emergency is declared, rents cannot increase by more than 10% of pre-emergency levels. The restriction applies to existing tenants and new leases.

According to the California Apartment Association, price gouging protections apply anywhere in the state where displacement increases demand for housing.

this Rent increase cap Restrictions caused by wildfires are set to expire on February 6 unless extended by executive order or local declaration.

If you believe you have evidence of rent gouging, you can file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office through this page . Tenants' rights group Economic Survival Alliance is also holding a workshop on Saturday to educate people about their rights.

Do I need to pay utility bills?

Whether you have to continue paying gas, water and electricity bills depends on your provider, where you live and the condition of your home.

Gabriela Ornelas, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison, which provides power to the Altadena area, said the company has suspended billing to all customers who live in mandatory evacuation zones. The moratorium took effect on January 8. The company is also working with Los Angeles County to obtain the addresses of homes that were completely destroyed and will be permanently removed from the billing list.

Southern California Gas customers who have lost their homes or businesses do not need to contact the company to terminate service, said Erica Berardi, a spokesperson for Southern California Gas. Natural gas providers will waive current and recent bills for customers whose property was destroyed.

Customers who have their natural gas service shut off by SoCalGas for safety reasons will not pay during the outage.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power suspended billing notices in areas directly affected by the fires, spokesperson Michelle Figueroa said. It also encourages customers facing financial hardship to contact their utility company to manage their bills.

“We are here to support you and make sure your utility bills don't become a burden at this time,” LADWP told customers.

Where can I get help finding temporary housing?

A rush to snap up vacant units is underway, with some landlords raising rents well beyond what anti-price gouging laws allow. This will make it difficult for many people to find an affordable place to live.

If you can't find a place to stay with friends or family, there are some free or discounted accommodation options.

Airbnb.org, a nonprofit that works with Airbnb hosts, is providing free temporary housing to people displaced by the fires, and you can sign up here .

Some hotels offer discounted rates. The Balaciano Group, a landlord that owns several apartment buildings in the San Fernando Valley, is also offering discounts to fire victims.

Is there government assistance?

You can receive $770 under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Severe Needs Assistance program, which can help you pay for things like water, infant formula and food. To apply, call 1-800-621-3362 or visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/.

FEMA also provides temporary housing assistance, however, the state of California must request this assistance in order to activate.

Amy Palmer, a spokesperson for the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, said late Monday that the state should make a formal request “within hours” and has been working with FEMA since last week , to ensure “the fastest possible assistance.”

What can renters insurance do?

If you have renters insurance, file a claim as soon as possible.

Rick Dinger, president of Crescenta Valley Insurance, said renters policies typically provide at least $25,000 in coverage to replace damaged personal property and help you find and pay for a new place to live.

If you're one of the many people who doesn't have renters insurance, you can apply for a low-interest loan from the federal government to replace items like clothing, furniture, and cars. These loans are available through the Small Business Administration. You don't need to own a business to qualify, and tenants can borrow up to $100,000.

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