Fight Back Against Illegal Rental Fees — San Diego Tenant Rights Attorneys

Your Landlord Can’t Charge You Whatever They Want

If your landlord is adding hidden fees, charging bogus “service” costs, or trying to make you pay for repairs that aren’t your responsibility — we fight for you.
California law is clear: landlords cannot demand illegal fees or use extra charges to drive tenants out.

At Renter Warriors, our San Diego tenant rights lawyers help renters fight back against landlords who break the law.
If you’ve been charged unfair or illegal fees, we can help you recover your money and stop the abuse.

Call (866) 219-3343 today for a free consultation.
Find out if your landlord’s fees violate California tenant law.

Call Now

What Counts as an Illegal Rental Fee in California?

Landlords in California must follow strict rules about what they can — and can’t — charge tenants.
Many try to slip in unlawful “extra” charges that violate California Civil Code and the Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482).

Common Illegal Fees Include:

Excessive application fees

Late fees that are unreasonably high

“Convenience fees” for paying rent online or by card

Maintenance or repair fees for normal wear and tear

Inspection or pest control fees charged to tenants

Utility markups that exceed actual costs

Administrative fees

Lease preparation fees

Trash Valet fees

Pest Control fees for common areas

Move-out cleaning or damage fees without proper documentation

or any other fee the landlord incurs for just doing their job, the fee could be illegal

Don’t just pay — fight back.
Our tenant rights attorneys can review your lease and identify every illegal charge.

Your Landlord’s Fees Might Violate the Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482)

The Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) doesn’t just limit rent increases — it also restricts how landlords can manipulate charges to get around rent caps.

If your landlord has:

  • Added “maintenance” or “amenity” fees to justify a rent increase,
  • Reclassified rent as a “service fee,” or
  • Introduced new recurring charges without your consent,

They may be violating AB 1482. These schemes are often designed to illegally raise rent beyond the state’s legal limits.

 

If your landlord is using fees to inflate your rent, call us now.
We’ll hold them accountable under California law.

Know Your Rights Under California Law

Under California Civil Code:

  • Application fees must reflect the actual cost of processing your application — and can’t exceed state limits.
  • Late fees must be reasonable and directly related to the landlord’s costs.
  • Security deposits must be refundable, and landlords can’t add “non-refundable” charges disguised as deposits.
  • Landlords can’t charge tenants for routine repairs or upkeep of the property.

 

If you suspect your landlord’s fees are unlawful, you may be entitled to reimbursement, and other damages.

Why You Need a Lawyer Right Away

Landlords who use self-help evictions or shut off utilities often try to create facts on the ground before a tenant can act. A skilled tenant lawyer can:

  • Stop the landlord quickly with emergency legal filings.
  • Preserve critical evidence and document unlawful conduct.
  • Coordinate with police and utility companies when necessary.
  • Maximize recovery — reimbursement for damages, relocation costs, and attorney’s fees.
  • Defend you if the landlord later files unlawful detainer papers or claims against you.

Don’t accept second place to a landlord’s illegal tactics. Call a San Diego eviction defense attorney immediately.

You have rights — and we’ll fight for them.
Our San Diego tenant lawyers fight to get your money back and your record cleared.

How Our Tenant Rights Attorneys Can Help

At Renter Warriors, we’ve helped San Diego renters stop landlords from profiting through illegal fees and deceptive billing practices.
We handle:

  • Illegal rent increase cases under AB 1482
  • Recovery of unlawful fees and deposits
  • Tenant harassment and retaliation claims
  • Wrongful eviction defense for tenants pushed out over disputes

We know how to uncover patterns of overcharging — and we know how to win these cases.

Call (866) 219-3343 today for a free case review.
Speak directly with a San Diego tenant rights lawyer who will fight for you.

Stand Up. Speak Out. Fight Back.

At Renter Warriors, we believe every tenant deserves transparency and fairness.
When landlords exploit tenants with hidden or illegal fees, we step in — and we fight to make it right.

You don’t have to face your landlord alone.
We fight for San Diego renters.

Call Now