Tenant Rights
Fighting Back Against Illegal “Junk Fees”
Story Law Group Leads Class Action to Protect Florida Tenants
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Attorneys at Story Law Group have filed a class action lawsuit against a Jacksonville-based property management company, alleging it imposed unlawful “junk fees” and inflated debts on tenants — in violation of Florida’s landlord-tenant and consumer protection laws.
The case centers on Felicia Joyner, a tenant at The Reef Apartments on Mayport Road. After losing her job, Joyner fell behind on rent and was evicted — but her $4,600 debt ballooned into nearly $35,000 due to aggressive and illegal collection charges.
“They charged her the entire balance of the remaining lease term. That’s just clearly against Florida tenant laws,” said attorney Max Story. “They start with a balance that isn’t appropriate or legal, and then they tack on an unlawful collection fee.”
Attorney Max Story discusses the case with News4JAX, detailing how illegal collection fees inflated tenant debts.
Under Florida law, landlords must attempt to re-rent a property after eviction and cannot demand the entire remaining lease amount up front. Joyner’s attorneys discovered that her apartment had been re-rented within months — yet she was billed as if it remained vacant.
“We know that there are many people out there dealing with the same thing,” added James Tyer. “We want compensation for all the damages they’ve suffered — but more importantly, we want to stop this unlawful practice altogether.”
Attorney James Tyer explains that charging tenants inflated balances and “junk fees” is part of an unlawful standard policy.
The class action complaint filed on behalf of multiple tenants against LVL Living and The Reef Apartments.
“Just because it’s in the lease doesn’t mean it’s legal,” said Story. “These junk fees were literally buried in the fine print on the backside of the signature page.”
A Widespread Problem
This lawsuit underscores a larger issue in Florida’s housing market: the spread of hidden fees and inflated collection charges often buried in fine print. Tenants who sign leases without legal review may unknowingly consent to unlawful or unenforceable terms.
The case, filed in March 2025, seeks class action certification, which would allow all tenants affected by similar practices to join and seek compensation.
Know Your Tenant Rights
Florida’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and Consumer Collection Practices Act protect renters from overcharging, harassment, and unfair collection actions. If you’ve been threatened with excessive or unclear fees, you may have legal remedies available.
News4JAX anchors introduce the “Rent Rebellion” segment, spotlighting tenants’ fight against predatory rent practices.