FTC Junk Fee Rule for Vacation Rentals: Show the Total Price
Since May 12, 2025, hosts and platforms advertising short-term lodging must show the total price, cleaning and resort fees included. What the FTC rule requires.
By Seayora Editorial Team · Published · Facts checked · 2 min read
Short answer: Since May 12, 2025, the FTC’s Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees requires any business that offers, displays or advertises short-term lodging, including hotels, short-term rentals and vacation rentals, to show the total price clearly and more prominently than other pricing. The total must include every mandatory fee, such as a cleaning or resort fee; government taxes and optional add-ons may be left out but must be disclosed before payment. Long-term rental housing with an ongoing landlord-tenant relationship is not covered.
Key takeaways
- Covers hotels, motels, inns, short-term rentals and vacation rentals, whether listed by a host, a manager or a platform.
- Mandatory cleaning, resort and service fees belong in the advertised total price.
- Taxes and optional extras can be left out of the total but must be disclosed before the guest pays.
- Long-term apartment leases are outside this rule; state junk-fee laws may still apply.
Who does the FTC fee rule cover?
The rule covers two kinds of goods and services: live-event tickets, and short-term lodging, which it defines to include temporary sleeping accommodations at a hotel, motel, inn, short-term rental, vacation rental or other place of lodging (16 CFR § 464.1). It applies to any business that offers, displays or advertises those, which includes a host or property manager listing their own unit as well as a booking platform. It took effect May 12, 2025, and the FTC says long-term or other rental housing involving an ongoing landlord-tenant relationship is not covered (FTC FAQ).
What is the “total price”?
The total price is the maximum total of all fees or charges a consumer must pay for the lodging and any mandatory ancillary goods or services. Government charges, shipping charges and fees for optional add-ons may be excluded (16 CFR § 464.1). The FTC’s own examples: a vacation rental’s mandatory cleaning fee and a hotel’s mandatory resort fee must be in the total price.
| Charge | In the total price? |
|---|---|
| Nightly rate | Yes |
| Mandatory cleaning fee | Yes |
| Mandatory resort, amenity or service fee | Yes |
| Hotel or occupancy taxes imposed by government | May be excluded, but must be disclosed before payment |
| Optional extras the guest chooses, such as early check-in | May be excluded |
How must the price be shown?
In any offer, display or advertisement that shows a price, the total price must be disclosed clearly and conspicuously and more prominently than any other pricing information. Before the consumer agrees to pay, the business must disclose the nature, purpose and amount of any fee left out of the total, and the final amount of payment (16 CFR § 464.2). Advertising a low nightly rate and adding a mandatory cleaning fee at checkout is the practice the rule targets.
What about apartment leases?
This federal rule does not reach ongoing landlord-tenant rentals, but several states regulate fees in residential leasing on their own; see rental junk fee laws in Colorado and California. In New York City, a short-term rental also needs registration; see the NYC short-term rental registration law.
Frequently asked questions
Does the FTC junk fee rule apply to Airbnb hosts?
Yes. It covers any business that offers or advertises short-term lodging, including short-term and vacation rentals, so a host’s listing must show the total price including mandatory fees.
Do I have to include taxes in the advertised price?
No. Government charges may be excluded from the total price, but their amount and purpose must be disclosed before the guest pays.
Does the rule apply to apartment rentals?
No. The FTC says long-term rental housing with an ongoing landlord-tenant relationship is not covered.
Sources
- 16 CFR § 464.1, Definitions (Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees), eCFR
- 16 CFR § 464.2, Hidden and misleading fees, eCFR
- Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees: frequently asked questions, Federal Trade Commission
How Seayora helps
Rental listings: Publish listings that state every required fee next to the rent.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes often, so check the current rule for your property and talk to an attorney before acting on a dispute.
How we write and check these guides: editorial standards.
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