Originally appearing in NPR on July 19, 2023, Jennifer Ludden covers the Biden administration’s blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights and the response of three major rental platforms that will start showing extra monthly fees that can surprise tenants.
Ludden cites NCLC’s Too Damn High: New Report Examines Role of Junk Fees in Skyrocketing Rents report and quotes April Kuehnhoff.
A record 21.6 million U.S. households are rent-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on rent. A recent report by the National Consumer Law Center warned that extra fees are helping drive up that burden, and can “jeopardize access to future housing and financial stability when they contribute to rental debts and blemishes on renters’ credit reports.”
NCLC’s survey found “excessive and sometimes illegal late fees, as well as convenience fees, roommate fees and even a fee just because it’s January!” Two renter advocates surveyed in Minnesota reported seeing fees in January for seemingly no reason.
April Kuehnhoff, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center
Support NCLC
Please support NCLC's work to advance consumer rights and economic justice with a tax-deductible contribution today!
Donate