New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan group of 25 other attorneys general called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Apr. 13 to address unfair and deceptive fee practices in the rental housing market. The coalition submitted a comment letter urging the FTC to create clear, nationwide standards for transparency in rental pricing.
The request follows concerns that hidden fees are making housing less affordable for renters across the country. The attorneys general say these undisclosed charges can prevent consumers from understanding the full cost of renting, which affects their ability to make informed financial decisions.
“Rent is already too high, but corporate landlords are adding hidden junk fees that make housing even less affordable,” said Attorney General James. “Renters deserve to know the true cost of housing upfront, not after they have already committed their time and money. We are urging the FTC to take action so families can make informed decisions and avoid deceptive pricing.”
The letter describes how renters often face “bait-and-switch” tactics where advertised rents appear lower than what is ultimately charged due to mandatory fees disclosed late in the process or after signing a lease. The coalition argues that such practices undermine competition by disadvantaging transparent landlords and complicate price comparisons for consumers.
James and her colleagues ask the FTC to require clear disclosure of all mandatory fees in advertisements and listings, prohibit unfair or deceptive fee practices, set a consistent federal baseline for protections, and allow states to enforce or strengthen local rules as needed. They point out that while many states are taking legislative or enforcement actions against unfair rental fee practices, federal rulemaking would provide minimum standards nationwide while preserving state authority.
Housing affordability remains an issue in New York as more households become burdened by rent costs—a problem worsened by hidden fees. Clear national standards could help New Yorkers better understand actual housing costs when searching for rentals.
Letitia James heads the New York Attorney General’s office according to its official website. The office operates through regional offices across New York State according to its official website and serves as a public law enforcement agency according to its official website. It provides services including consumer fraud investigations, charities oversight, tenant dispute mediation according to its official website, promotes social justice through civil rights enforcement according to its official website, protects residents’ rights, ensures public safety, upholds consumer protections, and preserves the environment according to its official website.
