The Rising Problem of "Junk" Fees in Apartment Rentals.

Rents in many major cities remain high, with shelter costs representing 60% of all inflation in February and March. In addition to high rents, tenants are facing a surge of "junk fees" such as application fees, late fees, pet fees, administrative fees, and "convenience fees" for paying rent online. These fees have exploded in recent years, rendering safe and decent rental housing even more out of reach for many. Some landlords are now making higher profits from fees than from actual rent, according to watchdog group Accountable.us. Consumer advocacy groups are pushing for a crackdown on these fees, which they call "exploitative," "deceptive," and "unconscionable."