Hundreds of thousands of renters will receive refunds following a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC announced that Invitation Homes, a major landlord, will send checks to over 444,000 renters who were charged undisclosed fees during their leases. The company allegedly misled customers about lease costs by including mandatory fees such as “utility management” without clear disclosure. The settlement, totaling $47.2 million, will result in refunds for renters who paid $45 or more for covered fees or charges between January 2021 and September 2024. The average refund is expected to be around $106, with checks mailed within 90 days. The FTC also accused Invitation Homes of failing to inspect rental units before move-in and unfairly withholding security deposits after tenants vacated. The company must now comply with new requirements, including clearly disclosing leasing prices, establishing fair policies for security deposit refunds, and ending other unlawful practices. While the Biden administration announced the settlement in September 2024, it took nearly 18 months to finalize. Invitation Homes did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement. The company stated that its disclosures and practices are “industry-leading” and emphasized its commitment to transparency and quality housing. Previously, the company faced accusations of falsely claiming to offer 24/7 maintenance services. The FTC’s actions highlight ongoing efforts to address deceptive practices in the rental industry, with similar cases targeting other companies for misleading consumers.#renters #federal_trade_commission #invitation_homes #security_deposits #lease_costs
FTC to Refund Over $47 Million to Consumers Deceived by Invitation Homes The Federal Trade Commission announced on Wednesday that it will distribute more than $47.2 million in refunds to hundreds of thousands of consumers who were allegedly misled by Invitation Homes, the nation’s largest single-family home leasing company. The refunds are part of a settlement reached with the Dallas-based company, which the FTC sued in 2024. Regulators accused the company of deceptive practices, including failing to disclose hidden fees, not inspecting properties before tenants moved in, and withholding security deposits after tenants vacated. Invitation Homes, a publicly traded company, will issue the refunds as part of the agreement. According to the FTC, the company owned or managed over 110,000 properties across the U.S. as of December 2025. The settlement requires the company to improve transparency in its leasing practices, ensure fair handling of security deposits, and amend other questionable policies. Eligibility for refunds extends to 444,131 consumers who paid at least $45 in fees or charges to Invitation Homes between January 2021 and September 2024. The FTC emphasized that recipients must cash their checks within 90 days of receiving them, with delivery times varying based on location. Those with questions about the refunds can contact Rust Consulting via toll-free phone at 800-804-6915 or email at info@InvitationHomesRefund.com. Refund amounts will depend on the specific fees paid by each consumer, with an average payment of approximately $106. However, individuals who have already received a credit or refund from Invitation Homes are not eligible for additional payments. The FTC’s 2024 lawsuit detailed several alleged violations by Invitation Homes.#dallas #ftc #invitation_homes #rental_housing_industry #security_deposits
FTC to Distribute $47 Million to Renters Wronged by Major Landlord The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a $47.2 million settlement with Invitation Homes, one of the nation’s largest single-family home landlords, to compensate over 400,000 renters who were allegedly misled by the company’s deceptive practices. The agreement, finalized in March 2026, follows a lawsuit filed by the FTC in September 2024 that accused the company of engaging in widespread fraudulent behavior. According to the lawsuit, Invitation Homes engaged in multiple unlawful actions, including misleading applicants about leasing costs, charging undisclosed fees for services such as “smart home technology” and “utility management,” and unfairly withholding tenants’ security deposits. The company was also accused of fabricating charges when renters moved out, leading to improper fees for normal wear-and-tear, pre-move-in damage, and unnecessary renovations. Between 2020 and 2022, Invitation Homes returned only 39.2% of security deposits to tenants, far below the national average of 63.9%. The FTC alleged that some mandatory fees could total up to $1,700 annually per renter, while prospective tenants paid non-refundable reservation and application fees ranging from $55 to $500. Application fees alone generated $18 million for the company between 2019 and 2024. The agency also claimed Invitation Homes lied about pre-move-in inspections, leaving tenants to deal with “significant disrepair” in their units. As part of the settlement, Invitation Homes agreed to pay $48 million in compensation to affected renters, though the total payout is listed as $47.2 million in the agreement. The company also faces new rules, including full transparency in leasing prices and a system for refunding security deposits “fairly.#ftc #invitation_homes #lina_m_khan #rust_consulting_inc #invitation_homes_refund_com
