- A bipartisan coalition of 27 AGs, led by Colorado, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, submitted a comment letter to the FTC urging the agency to propose a rule that would regulate hidden and deceptive rental fees.
- In the letter, the AGs argue that hidden rental fees obscure the actual cost of rent; cause financial strain to consumers; and harm competition by putting housing providers that are transparent about rental costs at a disadvantage. Specifically, the AGs call for a rule that would establish enforceable standards requiring disclosure of the total rental price; prohibit deceptive fee practices in rental transactions; and not preempt state ability to regulate housing.
- In addition, New Jersey AG Jennifer Davenport published guidance for housing providers regarding upcoming rental fee caps under New Jersey law and explaining that certain conduct, such as accepting large volumes of applications in order to profit from rental application fees, may violate state consumer protection law.