The Rent is Too Damn High (Really, this Time)
How junk fees price renters out of housing
Rising rents pricing you out of affordable housing?
Junk fees could be partly to blame.
Consumer advocates are calling corporate and large-scale landlords on the carpet for some ridiculous fees they say contribute to rising rents.
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“Renters are already struggling to find safe and stable housing during a severe affordable housing shortage,” said April Kuehnhoff, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center and co-author of the report. “Now, on top of sky-high rent prices, renters are being forced to pay excessive and sometimes illegal late fees, as well as convenience fees, roommate fees, and even a fee just because it’s January!”
While application fees are typical and to be expected, fees for “notice” and fees because it is “January” are, well, not ok.
“The FTC must investigate corporate and large landlords that impose unavoidable and exploitative junk fees and develop guidance to prevent this potentially deceptive and unconscionable practice,” said Steve Sharpe, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center and co-author of the report. “State governments must also limit or ban rental fees that exceed the landlord’s costs, cover services not rendered, stifle competition, or violate the law.”
Are you plagued by junk fees added to your rent? Are some fees offered without explanation?
You can go to the CFPB and ask for answers.
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