1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take action on an issue affecting renters across Texas: the lack of transparency in how apartments advertise rental prices. Currently, most apartment listings promote a “base rent” that does not include a growing list of mandatory fees such as trash, Internet, pest control, and administrative charges. These costs are often unavoidable and can add hundreds of dollars to the total monthly payment—yet they are not clearly disclosed upfront. This practice is misleading for renters and creates unnecessary confusion when comparing housing options. Many renters only discover these fees after touring a property or signing a lease, which leaves them feeling misled and financially strained. If a fee is mandatory, it should be included in the advertised rent, just like taxes are included in the price of consumer goods. Pet rent and parking fees are understandably variable, depending on individual needs. However, mandatory charges that every tenant must pay should be reflected in the listed price of the unit. Transparency would not only benefit renters—it would also promote fair competition among property owners and management companies, since everyone would be required to disclose full, accurate rental costs upfront. I respectfully ask that legislation or regulation be introduced requiring that all mandatory monthly fees be included in the advertised base rent for apartments and rental properties in Texas. Listings could still break down the total cost by category for clarity, but the total monthly price should always reflect what tenants are actually required to pay. This simple change would protect consumers, improve trust in the housing market, and align rental advertising with the standards of honesty and clarity expected in other industries. Thank you for your attention to this important issue. I urge you to take action to support transparency and fairness for renters in our state.