Massachusetts is the latest state to enforce “junk fee” regulations. For landlords here, both large and small, this has significant implications. It means that the additional charges landlords and management companies tag on above the base rent, such as the cost of parking, amenities, trash pickup, pest control, and extra utilities, must be fully disclosed upfront as the overall cost before they ask a tenant to commit.
“We’ve all been there: booked a hotel room, purchased concert tickets, or paid for a service that was advertised at one price and then charged for one exponentially higher—all because of hidden junk fees,” Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said in a statement. “These regulations seek to keep more money in residents’ pockets by combating these unnecessary fees and ensuring consumers understand exactly how much and what they are paying for.”
According to the new law, which falls under the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Law, landlords must explain why they are adding additional fees above the rental price, and tenants have the right to know whether any of the charges are optional.
The Greater Boston Real Estate Board has suggested a straightforward solution for landlords: bundling all additional fees into the overall rental price, thereby eliminating the need for any further disclosures.
A National Push Against Junk Fees
The housing crisis and the high cost of living have put rental expenses in the national spotlight, with several states seeking complete transparency. These include: