Before the Judge, There’s a Fee: Are Your Lease Terms Putting You at Risk? Eviction Fees Before an Eviction? It’s happening—and some big landlords are getting sued over it. A Business Insider investigation uncovered tenants being charged $600–$1,000 in “eviction-related fees” before a single court filing was ever made. No judge. No docket. Just a threat and a balance due. Here’s what’s really going on behind the scenes—and must property management companies are not doing it wrong, but some definitely are: Automation platforms (like Resident Interface or Connect2Court) allow managers to trigger filings with a click. Once submitted, fees get added fast: admin charges, filing costs, attorney prep—even if the case is never filed. Some leases include vague language about “reasonable pre-estimates” that doesn’t hold up in court. In many states, including NY and MD, judges are now pushing back—saying landlords can’t collect unless a judge awards the fees. To be clear: there are real costs. And most property managers are trying to recover them legally and transparently. But the second your system charges a tenant for something that never happened, or isn’t clearly disclosed—you’re on thin ice. The takeaway for owners and property managers: Audit your lease language. Require documentation before fees hit ledgers. Train your staff to explain charges clearly. Because this isn’t just a legal risk—it’s a reputation risk. A few dollars in admin fees aren’t worth headlines, lawsuits, or losing trust with your residents. Link to the full Business Insider article in the comments