Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced on Apr. 13 that she is leading a bipartisan coalition of 27 attorneys general urging the Federal Trade Commission to propose rules regulating hidden and deceptive rental fees. Davenport also issued guidance to New Jersey landlords about the state’s new $50 cap on rental application fees, which will take effect May 1, 2026.
The effort aims to address housing affordability challenges in New Jersey, one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. The guidance and proposed federal rule seek to increase transparency for renters and ensure fair competition among landlords. “For far too many New Jerseyans, housing is far too expensive. New Jersey has one of the nation’s most expensive rental markets, and when landlords hide the true cost of rent or pile on bogus fees, it becomes even harder for families to secure affordable housing and for honest landlords to compete,” said Attorney General Davenport. “We’re taking action to increase transparency and fairness for renters and make housing more affordable—both by calling for federal rulemaking through the Federal Trade Commission and by enforcing our own state law capping rental application fees. Renters deserve clear, honest information from the start without being overcharged, and that’s exactly what we’re committed to achieving.”
Davenport is leading a comment letter with support from attorneys general across states including Colorado, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina,Oregon,Rhode Island,Vermont,Viginia ,Washington,and Wisconsin . The coalition calls for standards requiring disclosure of total rent prices as well as prohibitions against unfair or deceptive fee practices in rentals.
In addition to advocating at the federal level,Davenport released new guidance clarifying that charging more than $50 in application-related costs will violate both state law and potentially consumer fraud statutes once enforcement begins May 1.”New Jersey renters are tired of being hit with excessive fees just to apply for the chance to rent a home.Today’s guidance makes clear that dishonest landlords who try to evade the fee cap or use application fees to extract excessive charges from tenants violate our laws and will face consequences,” said Davenport.Jeremy Hollander ,Acting Director of Division Consumer Affairs,say enforcement will begin immediately after law takes effect.
According to the official website,the New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin aims to protect residents’ lives and property uphold legal standards,and deliver statewide enforcement as well as legal support.The office extends its services throughout all counties,making an impact on public safety through oversight,enforcement,and regulation . It offers services such as legal representation,laboratory crime support,victim advocacy,and consumer protection initiatives.Accordingly,the agency functions as a statewide entity focused on justice ,public safety,and consumer rights.
