Albany, NY – On Wednesday, April 3, legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages to prohibit junk fees at the end of a car lease passed the New York State Assembly. Bill A7167 (Senate Bill S4778) would prevent the lessor of a motor vehicle from charging a turn-in fee at the expiration of the lease which is solely for administrative, handling, or clerical purposes.

These fees have been used to penalize lessees even when the car has not been damaged nor exceeded the allowed mileage in the lease agreement. Instead of allowing consumers to find the best rate for a new lease, lessors often leverage these fees to get lessees to stay with them, only offering to waive such fees if they sign on to another lease.

“Consumers are fed up with junk fees in all forms,” said Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages. “This bill would give drivers who lease their car much-needed protection when ending their lease. These fees are rarely discussed when drivers first sign on and only add an unnecessary financial burden when the lease expires. The Senate should take up this common-sense consumer protection bill as soon as possible.”