Rental Fee Horror Stories

Denver Renter, Jon:

"When rents are as high as they are in this city, it is tough to get a monthly statement that nickels and dimes you for charges that should be quoted in the overall price. First, we received a valet trash charge for $25. Then we received a "common-areas utilities" charge that ran significantly higher than the utilities for my own unit. I would have rather just had it factored into my rent cost than to see a bill that charges us for the entire building's gas, electricity, and water."

Denver Renter, Janine:

"I accepted a job in Denver and rushed to find a place to live. Not knowing much about the Denver rental market and being in a hurry, I applied for one of the first units that I found online that looked like a good deal. While I was aware of the general price and was given some estimates of utility fees by the leasing office, when I showed up on move-in day, I was surprised that there were hidden fees bringing my total cost each month to $150 more than I had anticipated. A parking pass will put me another $300 over budget."

Denver Renter, Ben

"When we moved into our first place, we knew about the $25 application fee, but the $250 administration fee was never mentioned. In my last rental, we told the building manager we wanted the available higher-floor apartment if the rent would be the same as the unit we originally looked at. Management said it would be, but the apartment ended up being about $400 more a month. Things like this happen to renters all the time, and it isn't right."

Denver Renter, Kayleigh:

"We decided to rent a luxury apartment in an up-and-coming neighborhood. We reviewed the lease multiple times with the agent and between ourselves. There was no mention of a second parking space fee anywhere. We didn't realize they were charging us an extra $50 until our monthly bill arrived. We reviewed the lease again; the second parking space wasn't covered anywhere. We spoke to the property manager, and he said the leasing agent who helped us was new and didn't use the correct form to generate the leasing conditions. We tried to fight it, but ultimately, management said there was nothing they could do. We ended up paying for the parking space for the entire lease. We will never rent with this company again."

Denver Renter, John:

"I moved into my building expecting to pay the explained and agreed upon monthly rent stated on my lease by the leasing team and the building manager. When I went to look at my first month's rent, it was $700 dollars more. The building has a million hidden fees that no one can explain. I can no longer afford my rent. I think I'm going to have to move back in with my parents until I can make enough money again. I was tricked into a lease, which has now drained my entire bank account!"