Housing and Urban Development

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is taking aim at transparency in rental housing fees in a bid to make life more affordable for the average American. HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge announced commitments by some of the biggest rental search platforms to address unexpected and junk fees. Zillow, Apartments.com, and AffordableHousing.com all said they will provide tools renters can use to calculate exactly how much their rental will cost. Zillow is adding a Cost of Renting Summary to its active apartment listings, while Apartments.com is launched a new calculator that includes these fees on its website. AffordableHousing.com will require listings to disclose all fees and charges upfront.  “[M]any renters today face fees that are hidden, duplicative, or unnecessary as…