The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says it is asking for authority to set rules and regulate fees in the rental housing market.
The FTC is planning a “significant regulatory action” and must undergo review before the FTC can issue it, according to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the Office of Management and Budget.
FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said, “For too long, Americans have been unjustly squeezed of their hard-earned pay by hidden fees and other unfair or deceptive business practices in housing rental markets. The American consumer deserves honesty and transparency in housing rental agreements.
“To that end, we will be soliciting public comment on the need for a new rule to prevent the imposition of deceptive or unfair fees on renters seeking long-term housing options. Congress has empowered the FTC to promulgate rules that aid in enforcing our nation’s laws against unfair or deceptive trade practices and a new rule may enhance our capacity to bring enforcement actions against violators of those laws.”
On December 2, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission and the Colorado Attorney General announced a $24 million settlement with Greystar Real Estate Partners, resolving allegations that the company misrepresented rental pricing by advertising base rents without disclosing mandatory monthly fees.
The Greystar settlement serves as a reminder that comprehensive price transparency is quickly becoming an agency priority across many industries. While the current Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees is limited in scope, the FTC is clearly prepared to pursue undisclosed mandatory fees wherever it finds them—and the housing sector may well be next in line for formal rulemaking.
At the time of the Greystar settlement, Ferguson emphasized the importance of clear pricing in essential markets, noting that misleading housing fees “deserve the commission’s full attention.” He also indicated that he has “directed commission staff to begin the process of proposing a rule to address unfair or deceptive fees in rental housing.”
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