26 AGs Urge FTC Rule on Deceptive Rental Housing Fees

Attorney General James and Bipartisan Coalition Urge FTC to Address Deceptive Rental Fees

Amid Housing Affordability Crisis, 26 AGs Call for Federal Rule to Increase Transparency and Protect Renters

April 13, 2026

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 25 other attorneys general today called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enact a rule addressing unfair and deceptive fee practices in the rental housing market. In a comment letter submitted to the FTC, the coalition urged the agency to establish clear, nationwide standards to ensure transparency in rental pricing and protect consumers. The letter comes in response to the FTC’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on unfair or deceptive rental housing fee practices. The attorneys general support the FTC moving forward with rulemaking and highlight the growing impact of hidden fees on renters nationwide.

“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.”

In the letter, Attorney General James and the coalition emphasize that modern renters often encounter “bait-and-switch” pricing tactics in which advertised rents appear lower than the actual cost. Increasingly, mandatory fees are only disclosed late in the application process or after a lease is signed. These practices can increase the true cost of housing and limit consumers’ ability to make informed financial decisions. The attorneys general also assert that deceptive rental fee practices undermine competition in the housing market. When landlords fail to disclose the full cost of rent upfront, it becomes more difficult for consumers to compare options, and housing providers that are transparent about pricing are placed at a disadvantage.

Attorney General James and the coalition are urging the FTC to adopt a rule requiring clear disclosure of the total cost of rental housing, including all mandatory fees, in advertisements and listings. They are also calling on the FTC to prohibit unfair or deceptive practices related to rental fees and establish a consistent federal baseline while preserving states’ authority to enforce and strengthen consumer protections. The attorneys general highlight actions that states across the country are taking to address unfair or deceptive rental fee practices through legislation and enforcement. They argue, however, that federal rulemaking is needed to establish consistent minimum standards while allowing states to continue regulating rental markets based on local conditions.

Housing affordability remains a significant challenge for renters in New York, particularly as more households are cost-burdened by rent. Hidden or undisclosed fees can further increase housing costs and make it harder for New Yorkers to find and maintain stable housing. Establishing clear, nationwide standards would help ensure renters in New York can better understand and compare the true cost of housing.

Joining Attorney General James in sending the letter are the attorneys general of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.