US FTC penalizes Invitation Homes $48 million for undisclosed fees

27 Sep 2024 CW Team

Invitation Homes, the largest landlord for single-family homes in the US, agreed to a $48 million settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding allegations of deceiving renters about lease costs. According to the FTC, the company charged renters tens of millions of dollars in undisclosed fees between 2021 and 2023, which included costs for air filter delivery, smart home technology, and utility management.

The FTC's lawsuit, filed in Atlanta, indicated that these fees were not disclosed to customers at the time they applied for their units. The $48 million settlement is designated for reimbursing affected renters.

In a statement, Invitation Homes asserted that it believed its disclosures and practices were industry-leading, surpassing those of both its professional peers and many smaller owners of single-family rental homes. As part of the settlement, the company did not admit any wrongdoing.

This case represents another instance of the Biden administration's efforts to address "junk fees" that contribute to the rising cost of living in the United States. FTC Chair Lina Khan remarked that no American should have to pay higher rent or face eviction due to illegal practices by corporate landlords.

The lawsuit also accused Invitation Homes of not inspecting homes before residents moved in and of unfairly withholding security deposits upon their departure. Additionally, the FTC alleged that the company engaged in unjust eviction practices by failing to inform renters facing financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic about an eviction moratorium issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However, Republican commissioners at the FTC expressed disagreement with this charge, noting that the CDC order had been vacated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2021.

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..