#junk-fees

#junk-fees

Junk fees are "hidden, surprise, or unnecessary costs that increase the total price of a product beyond the advertised price" that businesses often don't disclose until the end of the transaction," according to the state Attorney General's Office. "Similarly, some businesses have engaged in practices related to trial offers, subscriptions, and automatic and recurring charges to conceal the total cost and nature of a product or service, while making it difficult for consumers to cancel or opt-out of such features."

The change requires landlords to clearly disclose the total price of a product prior to collecting personal information from potential tenants. Additionally, landlords must state the nature, purpose and total cost of a transaction upfront and explain whether charges are optional or waivable. The new regulations also dictate specifics about cost disclosures, including size and location of written disclosures and volume, speed and cadence of audible disclosures.

According to the complaint, these so-called junk fees regularly total more than $500 per tenant annually.