City Bans Landlords From Charging Fees, Landlords Respond By Raising Rents

A Michigan city plans on banning Landlords from charging what they consider to be "predatory" fees. Landlords have responded to the proposal by stating they will be forced to raise rents.

[GA-hfbg]

How about the fees the city charge the landlord, isnt that "predatory"?

[thesewingeyedoc]

So the city can charge you bogus fees and so call taxes that go up every year, but the landlord cannot recoup those fees from their tenants? What a bucket of bs! If the tenant agrees prior to signing a lease, why does the city has any authority to have any say so! These tenants rights groups have overstepped their rights.

[tycoonavenue]

It's time to fight back because that's ridiculous. If you want to call it predatory, that's fine. But that means we're doing away with arbitrary banking fees as well. While we're at it, let's look at the insurance industry. Let's tackle those arbitrary fees, AND premium increases.

[michaelgillis]

Thanks for providing this information. I agree the landlord should be able to charge fees but must be transparent.

[jimmyday]

The Poster Child of excessive fees is your property tax bill. And banks charge fees, credit card have fees, and when I renewed vehicle registration, MD charges a fee for using a credit card! And fees for "express service". As a landlord, we only charge application fees, to cover our expenses, and additional pet deposit. Some landlords charge move-in fees, move-out cleaning fees, etc. and as usual, Tony is right; it is all spelled out in the lease and no one is being forced to sign it.

[TL-wynk]

I think the fees should be wrapped in the rent just like a used car dealer. They charge a higher finance rate for low lives, and use GPS. Perfect solution.

[vivillager]

I'd do the same, as a matter in fact, I already have in a different industry. I'm also a used car dealer that provides in house financing. I've had some people who tried to skip our on me, but I'm very prepared to recover the asset anyways. One of my go-to tools in such a case, is adding GPS to the car. But I was barred from recovering the cost of the GPS... so I just upped the base price of the car. As Tony stated, problem solved

[patriciaannfoy]

Look at your utilities bill, property taxes and see the fees you are charged by the government

[MAURICZZIO]

10% fee if you pay property taxes late...yes 10%

[zxtenn]

I wish these special interest groups were so eager to talk about how section 8 garbage or bad tenants DESTROY a landlords house leaving 20 grand in damage or maybe more. What is the landlords right to sue them, etc. for full recovery? We all know the answer! Why would anyone spend 200K on a house and not expect to make a decent profit? They can easily invest in stocks or other things and forget being a landlord.

[chrispattee]

Perhaps it would be wiser if landlords raised the deposits. It would reward those who didn't destroy the property 🤔

[julietewing]

Fees added into a 12-month rental lease.
Explained to the tenant before signing.

[MamaMOB]

Wait you mean when I can't charge you for the damage you've caused I have to charge everyone for the damage you've caused? You mean being a landlord is a business and not a charity? I'm shocked! Shocked I tell ya!

[ThomasMadden-hdoz]

Rent control will not be long behind, the next time the Democrats get in.

[justanoman]

I'd like to remind you that your average American is *very* bad at math. Whereas the average landlord is better at math (as they tend to be better financially speaking which requires some level of math). You need to keep this gap in awareness in mind.
So "vote with your dollars" might work just as well as "voting" in general--many don't know what they are actually voting for.

So as a matter of general practice/policy, I do think a simplified bill with as few line item as possible is the best.

[mikenuyen]

It benefits the entire community. It brings in the deep pockets and that helps the local economics. Not fair? Oh really?

[Deborahtunes]

So what are these "fees" you're talking about?
I mean, I can understand late fees. But if landlords are just arbitrarily charging extra money for ridiculous things, I can understand the issue...

[johnsterling]

Example: The contract imposes a 10% late fee for failing to pay rent by the 5th of the month. Remember, the landlord may have a mortgage to pay on this rental property. That mortgage must be paid to the lender whether or not the tenant has paid the monthly rent. If the fees are specified in the contract, then the tenant must pay the fees. Nobody forced the tenant to sign the contract. If you don't want to pay the late fee, then pay your rent on time.

[debimurphy]

If it’s a legal contract then they can’t complain. Too many leave without paying last month rent and leave the property in disrepair. The deposit never covers the costs. I currently no longer rent my property.

[Hardworkandrealestateprofits]

But yet the local government can charge BS fees like a road impact fee when you build a house of over $5, 000 in my area on top of all the permit fees.