Charged an admin fee at your California storage unit? You may be entitled to statutory damages of up to $1,000.
Since July 1, 2024, California's Honest Pricing Law has required that the price a business advertises include every mandatory fee. Self-storage facilities that quote a monthly rate, then add a one-time administrative, setup or move-in fee when you sign the rental agreement, may be violating that law. Consumers may recover statutory damages of up to $1,000, plus attorneys' fees.
Illustrative example, not an actual receipt. If the fee was not part of the advertised rate, California law may be on your side.
See if you may qualify
Six quick questions. Under 60 seconds. No obligation.
You may qualify if:
- You rented a self-storage unit located in California
- You signed the rental agreement on or after July 1, 2024
- You were charged a one-time administrative, admin, setup or move-in fee on top of the monthly rent
- That fee was not included in the monthly rate you first saw advertised online or on a sign
- You still have the rental agreement, a receipt, or a screenshot of the advertised rate (helpful, not required)
- The facility was operated by any storage company: Public Storage, Extra Space, CubeSmart, Life Storage, SmartStop, U-Haul or another
Why a storage admin fee may be illegal under California law
California's Honest Pricing Law, often called SB 478, took effect on July 1, 2024. It makes it unlawful to advertise, display or offer a price for a good or service that does not include all mandatory fees or charges, other than government taxes and reasonable shipping costs. The rule is simple: the price you see is supposed to be the price you pay.
1. The advertised rate has to be the whole price
Self-storage operators typically advertise a monthly rate on their website, on signage and in quotes. Many then charge a one-time administrative, account setup or move-in fee, usually $20 to $30, when the customer signs the rental agreement. If that fee is mandatory and was not part of the advertised rate, the advertised rate was not the whole price, and the practice may fall squarely within what the Honest Pricing Law prohibits.
2. The remedy is statutory, not a refund of the fee
The Honest Pricing Law is enforced through California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act. A consumer who was charged a hidden fee may seek statutory damages, and the law provides for recovery of attorneys' fees and costs on top of any award. That is why a $29 fee can support a meaningful claim.
Records help. Your rental agreement, the receipt or payment confirmation showing the fee, and a screenshot of the rate you were first shown all strengthen a claim. If you do not have them, you may still qualify.
Dapeer Law represents consumers in these matters on a contingency basis. There is no fee unless we recover for you, and clients are not responsible for costs if there is no recovery.
How it works
Check Your Fit
Answer six quick questions. Takes under a minute on your phone.
Free Case Review
A Dapeer Law team member contacts you within one business day to discuss your situation.
No Upfront Cost
If we take your case, we work on contingency. No fee unless we recover.
Still renting the unit, or moved out already?
Either way, the fee you paid at signing may support a claim. The three year clock runs from the date you signed. Checking whether you may qualify takes about a minute and costs nothing.
See if you may qualify →