Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has filed a lawsuit against apartment landlord Greystar, alleging the company uses deceptive advertising to lure consumers into applying for rental housing and then charges mandatory, fixed fees not included in the advertised price. The lawsuit claims Greystar deceives consumers since at least 2019 by charging hidden fees for services such as valet trash, package delivery, amenities, and pest control.
According to Weiser’s office, prospective tenants are often confused by the fee information and cannot see the actual costs until they receive the lease. Even if they notice the fees before signing, they do not retain their application fee. Greystar charges a lease termination fee that can total thousands of dollars if the tenant wants to cancel after the fact.
Weiser claims Greystar’s actions are in violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act and are thwarting apartment hunters from comparison shopping and choosing homes within their budget. The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction, monetary relief, and other forms of relief.
Source: https://kdvr.com/news/local/colorado-attorney-general-accuses-greystar-of-deceptive-ads-hidden-rental-fees-in-new-lawsuit