HR 4100 (End Junk Fees for Renters Act) targets multifamily REIT fee income by banning application/screening fees and capping late fees at 3% of rent. While early-stage and unlikely to pass in this Congress, the bill is a clear negative catalyst for large apartment REITs $AVB, $EQR, $MAA, $CPT, and $UDR. Current market data shows these stocks have rallied 5-12% in the past 30 days, reflecting no pricing-in of this legislative risk.
→ Loss of upfront fee revenue and reduction of late fee revenue to the 3% statutory cap with a 15-day grace period.
HR4100