Biden's White House tackles rental fees, corporate mergers, and consumer costs

Three major rental platforms, Zillow, Apartments.com, and AffordableHousing.com, are planning to reveal extra monthly fees that can surprise tenants and make renting less affordable. These fees, such as trash removal, online payment, and mail sorting, are often assumed to be included in the rent. The move comes in coordination with the White House's Renters Bill of Rights, which aims to promote fairness and transparency for renters. The announcement follows concerns about the increasing burden of rental costs, with a record number of U.S. households spending more than 30% of their income on rent. The hope is that increased transparency and competition will help reduce these fees.