Zillow Allegedly Charging Illegal 'Junk' Fee on Online Rent Payments
Case Overview
Sara Nour initiated a class action lawsuit against Zillow Group Inc., alleging that the company imposes an illegal transaction fee when tenants make rent payments via its Zillow Rental Manager service. The complaint states that this fee appears at the final stage of the checkout process and that Zillow fails to provide clear disclosure on how to eliminate this charge, which the plaintiff argues is prohibited by residential leases.
The lawsuit contends that this transaction fee functions as a profit generator with no added value to the consumer. Furthermore, the allegations include that Zillow unjustly enriched itself, committed tortious interference with contracts, and violated several consumer protection statutes, including the Washington Consumer Protection Act and the Washington, D.C., Consumer Protection Procedures Act.
The lawsuit is currently filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Affected consumers who were charged this fee can participate in the class action. The plaintiff is represented by Sophia G. Gold and Jeffrey D. Kaliel of KalielGold PLLC and Melissa S. Weiner and Ryan T. Gott of Pearson Warshaw LLP.
,Who May Qualify
Consumers who were charged a transaction fee by Zillow when making a rent payment through its online portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core allegation in the Zillow class action?
The lawsuit alleges that Zillow charges an illegal 'junk' fee when consumers pay rent through its Zillow Rental Manager service. The plaintiff claims this fee is unexpected and is added at the last step of the checkout process without proper disclosure.
What laws does the lawsuit claim Zillow violated?
The allegations state that Zillow violated the Washington Consumer Protection Act, the Washington, D.C., Consumer Protection Procedures Act, and various state consumer protection statutes, among other claims.
Who is representing the plaintiff in this case?
The plaintiff is represented by Sophia G. Gold and Jeffrey D. Kaliel of KalielGold PLLC, alongside Melissa S. Weiner and Ryan T. Gott of Pearson Warshaw LLP.
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