U-Haul Hides Fees From California Renters, Lawsuit Claims

U-Haul is tricking consumers about pricing by tacking on hidden “environmental fees” to its advertised rental prices, violating California’s new Honest Pricing Law, a new lawsuit claims. 

The lawsuit says the company lures customers with low advertised rates for its trucks and trailers, only to reveal extra charges at the very end of the checkout process.

These undisclosed fees, the complaint argues, make it impossible for customers to know the true cost upfront and amount to a deceptive practice known as “drip pricing.”

The Honest Pricing Law, which took effect in July 2024, requires businesses to include all mandatory fees (except taxes and shipping) in the advertised price. 

Despite clear guidance from the California Attorney General and months of public notice before the law went into effect, the lawsuit claims U-Haul continued to mislead consumers by excluding its so-called environmental fee from the listed price.

Customer Says Hidden Charge Made Price Comparisons Impossible

The case was brought by California resident Christopher Barnett, who says he rented trucks from U-Haul twice in August 2025 and was charged a $1 “environmental fee” each time, an extra charge not reflected in the $29.95 rental rate he saw advertised. 

According to the complaint, Barnett had no way of knowing the true cost until he had clicked through about ten checkout screens and reached the final payment page. The filing argues that customers like Barnett were misled into paying more than expected and were deprived of fair price comparisons when choosing between competitors.

Complaint Cites Violation of California’s Honest Pricing Law

U-Haul advertises its rates prominently on its trucks and website, but those prices allegedly fail to include the required environmental fee, which the company adds at checkout. The lawsuit says this tactic frustrates comparison shopping, misleads consumers, and undermines the intent of the Honest Pricing Law. 

Regulators made clear nearly nine months before the law took effect that such hidden fees would be illegal, the complaint says, but U-Haul “chose to persist” with its pricing practices.

Similar Pricing Lawsuits Filed Against Other Major Companies

U-Haul is far from the only company accused of using deceptive pricing schemes, and companies under fire span various industries. Similar lawsuits have been filed against major ticketing and retail companies including Fandango, Viagogo, SeatGeek, and See Tickets for concealing mandatory fees until checkout. 

Even Applebee’s has been sued for hiding delivery-related fees, and supplement maker Olly and the New York Renaissance Faire have faced similar claims.

Barnett aims to represent all California consumers who have been charged undisclosed fees by U-Haul since the Honest Pricing Law took effect. He’s suing for deceptive business practices, false advertising, and fraud, and is asking the court to mandate that U-Haul stop hiding costs and return money it allegedly overcharged to customers.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Barnett v. U-Haul International, Inc., et al.
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-09893
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Paul K. Haines (Haines Law Group, APC)
• Jack Day and Calvin Bryne (Day Bryne & Mcintosh)

Have you noticed extra charges when renting from U-Haul? Tell us your experience in the comments below.