04/27/2026
NEW: We are suing a DC landlord for charging illegal junk fees and hiding the true cost of rent.
Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) advertised deceptively low rents, then charged hundreds of tenants illegal and undisclosed fees.
MAA is Tennessee-based real estate investment trust with over 300 rental properties. In DC, it owns and manages a 269-unit apartment building located at 1499 Massachusetts Avenue NW in Ward 2.
For years, MAA charged its tenants illegal junk fees, including:
💰 A $385 "processing fee" when reviewing a lease application that served no purpose and that DC law caps at $54
💰 A $350 "roommate release fee" if a roommate moves out before the lease ends that DC law currently caps at $54
💰 A monthly $18 "community fee" for services like maintaining building common areas, which is already covered by rent
It also deceived prospective tenants with inaccurately low rent advertisements that did not include mandatory fees — and failed to properly disclose certain fees until after a lease had been signed.
We are suing to stop MAA from nickel-and-diming their tenants with illegal junk fees and concealing the true cost of rent. We are also seeking tenant restitution and penalties for these violations.
The rent that is advertised should be the rent you pay.
