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.

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

Mount Invests Rs 250 Cr, Adds PUF & PEB Plants, 400+ Jobs

TUMKUR, Karnataka, January 8, 2025 - Mount Roofing & Structures Private Limited, one of India's fastest-growing manufacturers in PUF and a leading solutions provider across Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) and Polycarbonate sheets, simultaneously inaugurated its second fully automated continuous Sandwich Panel manufacturing line and a new PEB manufacturing plant at its integrated campus in Tumkur." The milestone expansion, part of a total investment of INR 250 crores, marks a significant advancement in the company's commitment to engineered performance, manu..

Titan Intech Strengthens UltraLED Push With Global LED Veteran

Titan Intech has announced the induction of global LED industry veteran Su Piow Ko to its Board of Directors, marking a strategic step in strengthening its UltraLED Displays roadmap and building globally competitive LED display solutions from India.The appointment aligns with Titan Intech’s ambition to position India as a hub for advanced, high-quality LED display manufacturing. With an increased focus on UltraLED Displays, the company aims to enhance technical governance, raise manufacturing standards and expand its presence across global markets.Su Piow Ko brings over three decades of inte..

Dun & Bradstreet Flags New Growth Engines in India 2026 Outlook

Dun & Bradstreet has released its India 2026: D&B’s Perspective report, projecting a stable macroeconomic environment underpinned by fresh opportunities for productivity-led and inclusive growth. The report outlines how India’s next growth phase will be driven by digitised logistics, trusted data ecosystems, clean energy and rising city vitality.According to the outlook, India’s GDP growth is expected to reach around 6.6 per cent by FY2027, supported by resilient consumer demand and sustained public investment. Manufacturing is seen entering a new phase, moving beyond scale towar..