White House Announces it is Taking on ‘Junk Fees’ in Rental Housing
The Biden administration announced today that it is taking on so-called “junk fees” in rental housing in order to lower costs for renters. The administration portrays standard industry fees – such as application fees – as junk fees.
NAHB disagrees with the administration’s approach of broadly characterizing standard industry charges as junk fees. In particular, NAHB has engaged the administration to explain why certain fees, such as application fees, are charged. We have previously addressed this issue in comments to the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with the respect to the need for tenant screening.
The administration says that various major rental housing platforms such as Zillow, Apartments.com and AffordableHousing.com will be providing more upfront information on various fees charged. While NAHB is supportive of transparency, we will continue to stand up for our members’ rights to effectively manage their apartment communities.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics
Apr 30, 2026
Fed Changes Leadership, but Powell Stays On BoardFed Chair Jerome Powell is not expected to fully step away from the Federal Reserve. Instead, he plans to continue serving as a member of the Board of Governors as long as the Justice Department's probe into the cost of the Fed’s headquarters renovations remains active.
Workforce Development
Apr 29, 2026
Indiana Students Explore Career Paths Beyond a Four-Year DegreeThe Builders Association of Elkhart County (Ind.) connects local students with hands‑on construction experiences that open their eyes to career paths beyond a four‑year degree.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Apr 30, 2026
U.S. Economy Rebounded in the First Quarter of 2026Real GDP growth accelerated in the first quarter of 2026, rebounding from a weak finish at the end of 2025, as government spending recovered following a disruptive shutdown.
Economics
Apr 29, 2026
Powell’s Chair Ends but He Keeps His Board SeatThe April meeting of the Fed’s monetary policy committee featured a lot of institutional news for a month in which the Fed kept monetary policy unchanged. The outlook for the economy and monetary policy remains unclear due to geopolitical turbulence and domestic policy uncertainty.
Economics
Apr 29, 2026
Home Building Shows Signs of Stabilization with Monthly Gain in StartsHousing construction activity strengthened in March, with a notable rebound in both single-family and multifamily starts, signaling improved builder activity despite ongoing headwinds from financing costs and affordability constraints. While the monthly gain points to renewed momentum, year-to-date trends remain mixed, particularly in the single-family sector, and permit activity suggests some caution moving forward.