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119-s-2148119th CongressWALLET

End Junk Fees for Renters Act

Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Introduced

Summary

Limits junk fees for renters. This bill would ban common rental add-on charges and force clearer fee and rent disclosures while directing agencies to define and restrict so-called "junk fees" in housing.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Caps landlord late rent fees

If enacted, owners of covered dwelling units could only charge a late fee that is less than 3% of monthly rent. A late fee could be charged only after rent is more than 15 days late. These fee rules must be disclosed in new leases for covered units.

CFPB and FTC define junk fees

If enacted, the CFPB and FTC would have 180 days to issue a rule defining 'junk fee' for rental housing. The rule must also find that reporting unpaid junk fees to consumer credit agencies is an unfair debt‑collection practice.

Which units and agencies are covered

If enacted, the bill would define 'covered dwelling units' to include HUD‑assisted units and units on properties with certain federally backed single‑family or multifamily loans. It would also assign enforcement to HUD, VA, USDA, or the Federal Housing Finance Agency depending on the loan type.

Ban rental application and screening fees

If enacted, owners of covered dwelling units would be barred from charging any fee when you apply to rent. This includes fees for criminal history checks, tenant screening, and consumer reports.

Require tenant disclosures before leases

If enacted, owners of covered dwelling units would have to give prospective tenants, before signing a lease: the total monthly cost with fees; a practicable summary of past tenant litigation; any ongoing pest or maintenance issues; and rent increases for each of the last 10 years.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 6/24/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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