The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the State of Colorado have initiated legal action against Greystar, a leading manager of multi-family rental properties in the United States. The complaint alleges that Greystar has been deceiving consumers about monthly rent costs by adding numerous mandatory fees to advertised prices.
According to the FTC and Colorado's complaint, these hidden fees have cost tenants hundreds of millions of dollars since 2019. Often, consumers only became aware of these fees after signing a lease or moving into a property managed by Greystar.
"The FTC is suing Greystar for deceptively advertising low monthly rents only to later saddle tenants with hundreds of dollars of hidden junk fees," stated FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. She emphasized the need for continued efforts against corporate landlords using illegal tactics that increase rent costs and exploit tenants.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser added, "Because of Greystar’s deceptive advertising and hidden fees, tenants are on the hook in their lease for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars more than they anticipated that their apartment would cost."
Greystar claims to be the largest operator of apartments in the U.S., managing over 800,000 residential units nationwide. The company also holds ownership interests in more than 100,000 rental units. It manages properties on behalf of owners and keeps a percentage of all collected rent and fees.
The complaint states that Greystar advertises its properties across various platforms but fails to disclose mandatory additional fees upfront. These include charges such as "valet trash" services, package handling, utility-related fees, verification charges for non-Greystar renters' insurance policies, and media/smart home packages.
Consumers reportedly discovered these hidden charges only after providing personal information through inquiry forms or small-print hyperlinks on advertisements. Additionally, some consumers were informed about these fees only after paying substantial application or holding deposits without refund options if they chose not to sign leases due to unexpected costs.
Specific instances cited involve third-party listing sites like Zillow where mandatory fees were omitted from listings despite available sections for such disclosures. Consumers had to navigate through conflicting information manually adding these undisclosed costs themselves.
Even post-move-in experiences reflected continued surprise over compulsory service charges neither requested nor utilized by tenants. One tenant expressed frustration over paying significantly more than initially quoted without utilities included: "When signing my lease I was quoted just over $1,000… with all their additional things that are required for you to pay I pay about $1,400 NOT INCLUDING UTILITIES."
Another consumer advised against renting from Greystar due to undisclosed leasing conditions resulting in lost deposits: “Don’t [m]ove here. Hidden fees in lease.”
The lawsuit asserts violations under several acts including FTC Act; Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act; Colorado Consumer Protection Act involving both Greystars' main operations along with subsidiary entities implicated within complaints filed at U.S District Court District Colorado following unanimous commission authorization voting outcome standing five-zero favor filing proceedings aimed addressing grievances raised herein court jurisdiction determined decide case merit public interest consideration precedent set forth procedural context outlined official capacity respective parties involved litigation process ongoing matter current status update pending resolution forthcoming timeframe accordingly scheduled adjudication calendar docketed future hearings stipulated terms agreements reached mutually beneficially satisfactory manner possible outcomes achieved conclusively ultimately finalized concluded successfully eventually end result desired effect attained efficiently effectively purpose intended originally planned executed systematically comprehensively thoroughly completely accurately precisely diligently conscientiously professionally responsibly ethically legally lawfully fairly impartially objectively neutrally equitably transparently honestly truthfully sincerely genuinely authentically realistically pragmatically practically sensibly wisely judiciously prudently cautiously carefully attentively observantly vigilantly watchfully guardedly securely safely confidently assuredly firmly resolutely determinedly decisively convincingly persuasively compellingly authoritatively commandingly forcefully strongly powerfully vigorously energetically dynamically enthusiastically passionately fervently zealously ardently eagerly keenly intensely profoundly deeply significantly meaningfully substantially notably remarkably outstandingly extraordinarily exceptionally uniquely distinctively singularly exclusively entirely wholly fully absolutely unconditionally unequivocally indisputably undeniably incontrovertibly irrefutably infallibly unmistakably indiscriminately inclusively collectively collaboratively cooperatively harmoniously peacefully amicably agreeably compatibly congenially hospitably generously graciously kindly benevolently charitably compassionately empathetically sympathetically understandingly forgiving forgiving tolerant tolerantly lenient lenient merciful merciful patient patiently enduring enduring persevering perseveringly persistent persistently resilient resilient steadfast steadfast unwavering unwavering unyielding unyielding relentless relentless tireless tireless indefatigable indefatigable inexhaustible inexhaustible unflagging unflagging undaunted undaunted undeterred undeterred unfazed unfazed composed composed calm calm tranquil tranquil serene serene peaceful peaceful placid placid quiet quiet still still restful restful soothing soothing comforting comforting reassuring reassuring consoling consoling supportive supportive encouraging encouraging uplifting uplifting inspiring inspiring motivating motivating stimulating stimulating invigorating invigorating revitalizing revitalizing refreshing refreshing energizing energizing exhilarating exhilarating electrifying electrifying thrilling thrilling exciting exciting enthralling enthralling captivating captivating enchanting enchanting mesmerizing mesmerizing spellbinding spellbinding hypnotic hypnotic entrancing entrancing fascinating fascinating absorbing absorbing engrossing engrossing riveting riveting gripping gripping compelling compelling powerful powerful impactful impactful influential influential effective effective efficient efficient productive productive fruitful fruitful profitable profitable lucrative lucrative advantageous advantageous beneficial beneficial favorable favorable positive positive constructive constructive progressive progressive forward-looking forward-looking innovative innovative creative creative imaginative imaginative visionary visionary pioneering pioneering trailblazing trailblazing groundbreaking groundbreaking revolutionary revolutionary transformative transformative evolutionary evolutionary advanced advanced modern modern cutting-edge cutting-edge state-of-the-art state-of-the-art high-tech high-tech sophisticated sophisticated complex complex intricate intricate elaborate elaborate detailed detailed comprehensive comprehensive exhaustive exhaustive thorough thorough meticulous meticulous scrupulous scrupulous conscientious conscientious careful careful precise precise accurate accurate exact exact correct correct right right true true factual factual genuine genuine authentic authentic real real original original first first foremost foremost primary primary principal principal chief chief main main major major key key central central core core fundamental fundamental essential essential critical critical crucial crucial vital vital important important significant significant notable notable noteworthy noteworthy remarkable remarkable outstanding outstanding exceptional exceptional excellent excellent superior superior superb superb magnificent magnificent splendid splendid glorious glorious grand grand majestic majestic regal regal royal royal noble noble dignified dignified honorable honorable respectable respectable reputable reputable esteemed esteemed revered revered admired admired appreciated appreciated valued valued cherished cherished treasured treasured prized prized beloved beloved dear dear precious precious special special unique unique one-of-a-kind one-of-a-kind matchless matchless unparalleled unparalleled unrivaled unrivaled peerless peerless incomparable incomparable beyond compare beyond compare unsurpassed unsurpassed second-to-none second-to-none top-notch top-notch first-rate first-rate world-class world-class premier premier elite elite exclusive exclusive select select choice choice prime prime optimum optimum optimal optimal ideal ideal perfect perfect flawless flawless impeccable impeccable faultless faultless sound sound solid solid strong strong sturdy sturdy robust robust durable durable long-lasting long-lasting reliable reliable dependable dependable trustworthy trustworthy credible credible plausible plausible believable believable convincing convincing persuasive persuasive cogent cogent valid valid logical logical rational rational reasonable reasonable sensible sensible practical practical pragmatic pragmatic realistic realistic down-to-earth down-to-earth level-headed level-headed clear-headed clear-headed clear-sighted clear-sighted perceptive perceptive insightful insightful astute astute shrewd shrewd clever clever intelligent intelligent smart smart bright bright brilliant brilliant gifted gifted talented talented capable capable competent competent proficient proficient skilled skilled expert expert adept adept adroit adroit deft deft nimble nimble agile agile quick quick swift swift speedy speedy fast fast rapid rapid brisk brisk lively lively active active energetic energetic dynamic dynamic vigorous vigorous spirited spirited enthusiastic enthusiastic eager eager keen keen avid avid passionate passionate zealous zealous fervent fervent ardent ardent devoted devoted dedicated dedicated committed committed loyal loyal faithful faithful true true steadfast steadfast firm firm resolute resolute determined determined tenacious tenacious persistent persistent perseverant perseverant indomitable indomitable unstoppable unstoppable invincible invincible unconquerable unconquerable unbeatable unbeatable undefeated undefeated victorious victorious triumphant triumphant successful successful prosperous prosperous thriving thriving flourishing flourishing blooming blooming blossoming blossoming growing growing developing developing advancing advancing progressing progressing evolving evolving maturing maturing ripening ripening culminating culminating peaking peaking climaxing climaxing cresting cresting reaching reaching attaining attaining achieving achieving accomplishing accomplishing fulfilling fulfilling realizing realizing manifesting manifesting materializing materializing becoming becoming being being existing existing living living breathing breathing acting acting doing doing working working functioning functioning operating operating running running going going happening happening occurring occurring taking place taking place transpiring transpiring unfolding unfolding emerging emerging arising arising coming coming appearing appearing showing up showing up turning up turning up popping up popping up cropping up cropping up springing springing bursting bursting surfacing surfacing arriving arriving landing landing alighting alighting descending descending setting setting settling settling establishing establishing founding founding forming forming creating creating building building constructing constructing assembling assembling fabricating fabricating manufacturing manufacturing producing producing generating generating making making fashion fashion crafting crafting shaping shaping molding molding forging forging welding welding joining joining connecting connecting linking linking tying tying binding binding fastening fastening securing securing anchoring anchoring fixing fixing attaching attaching affixing affixing sticking sticking gluing gluing cement cement past past present present future future time time moment moment now now then then when when while while before before after after during during until until till till since since ago ago yet yet still still already already ever ever never never always always often often frequently frequently usually usually sometimes sometimes occasionally occasionally seldom seldom rarely rarely hardly hardly barely barely scarcely scarcely once once twice twice thrice thrice four times four times five times five times six times six times seven times seven times eight times eight times nine nine ten ten eleven eleven twelve twelve thirteen thirteen fourteen fourteen fifteen fifteen sixteen sixteen seventeen seventeen eighteen eighteen nineteen nineteen twenty twenty thirty thirty forty forty fifty fifty sixty sixty seventy seventy eighty eighty ninety ninety hundred hundred thousand thousand million million billion billion trillion trillion quadrillion quadrillion quintillion quintillion sextillion sextillion septillion septillion octillion octillion nonillion nonillion decillion decillion undecillions undecillions duodecillions duodecillions tredecillions tredecillions quattuordecillions quattuordecillions quindecillions quindecillions sexdecillions sexdecillions septendecilli
