Progress Residential and owner Pretium Partners agreed to a $49.75 million rental fees settlement, the Federal Trade Commission said. The agency and four states filed the proposed deal in federal court in Georgia on November 6, 2026.
The FTC says the companies hid mandatory fees and wrongly kept tenants’ deposits. However, Pretium disputes the allegations and says the agreement includes no admission of wrongdoing.
What the rental fees case covers
The complaint, filed with Arizona, Colorado, Indiana and Utah, says Progress manages more than 90,000 homes across 17 states. It alleges that advertised rents left out required monthly charges, making the price appear lower than the amount tenants had to pay.
For example, the FTC complaint lists the fees below. The annual figures are Likiweeks calculations: each monthly amount multiplied by 12. They show the cost if a fee stayed unchanged for a full year, rather than a bill for every tenant.
| Charge alleged in complaint | Monthly charge (USD) | 12-month equivalent (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Smart home | $17–$30 | $204–$360 |
| Utility management | $7.95–$9.99 | $95.40–$119.88 |
| Air filter | $9.99 | $119.88 |
| Pool | $100–$175 | $1,200–$2,100 |
Source: Likiweeks calculations based on FTC complaint, paragraph 29
Data as of: 2026-11-06
Annual equivalents show the cost of paying an unchanged monthly fee for 12 months; these are not charges applied to every home.
In addition, the FTC alleges that Progress kept deposits for normal wear, existing damage and repairs that were the companies’ responsibility. Its announcement says most of the conduct occurred under prior management and that new management has taken steps to address it.
What would change for tenants
Under the proposed order, Progress would have to display the full monthly rental price more prominently than other prices. That figure must include fees tenants must pay each month. However, the order excludes variable utility costs and optional fees from that total.
The order would also bar deposit deductions for normal wear and tear or damage that existed before move-in. Tenants would receive a list explaining each charge within 30 days of leaving, or sooner if state law or the lease requires it.
The proposed rental fees deal sets aside $48.5 million to the FTC for consumer relief. A separate $1.25 million would cover Arizona’s legal fees and costs, according to the order. Thus, the full headline sum would not go to renters.
Rental fees: how refunds would work
The FTC’s announcement does not give a refund amount per tenant or a payment date. Its general refund guidance explains why these details matter: the agency first identifies eligible people and decides how to divide the money.
Where reliable customer records exist, the FTC says it can send payments directly. Otherwise, it may require claims. The agency also says a fund may not cover every loss in full, because both the money available and the costs of running the program affect payments.
A separate rental fees case shows how this process can work. On March 11, 2026, the FTC announced more than $47.2 million in checks for 444,131 eligible Invitation Homes customers. Those payments followed a September 2024 settlement, according to the agency; they do not establish eligibility for Progress tenants.
The Progress case remains listed as pending by the FTC as of November 7, 2026. The agency says the proposed order gains the force of law when a district judge approves and signs it.
Sources: FTC proposed order, FTC complaint, Pretium, FTC announcement, FTC refund guidance, FTC Invitation Homes refunds, FTC case status
