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Self-Storage operator U-Haul launches 1-year price-lock Guarantee for rental rates. March 2, 2026 U-Haul International Inc., a provider of self-storage and moving services in North America, has introduced a "1-Year Price Lock Guarantee" for new customers. The program ensures that a new tenant's monthly rental rate will not be increased for at least 12 months from the time of lease signing, according to a press release. The rate guarantee applies to new self-storage renters as well as existing tenants who rent additional units. No customers are required to pay administrative fees or deposits. Tenant insurance is optional, never mandatory. New customers also receive a free disc lock when they rent using the U-Haul website or mobile app, and their first month of self-storage is free with a qualifying equipment rental. The rate-lock initiative comes on the heels of increased scrutiny on self-storage industry pricing practices. Last month, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection filed a lawsuit against real estate investment trust Extra Space Storage Inc., accusing the company of predatory practices, including bait-and-switch pricing. "I'm fed up with the major players in our industry thinking the profitable strategy is to offer low, misleading introductory rates and then jack up the prices on their storage unit multiple times a year, sometimes before customers move in," said U-Haul CEO Joe Shoen. "Other industry giants are using these bait-and-switch tactics while people are already dealing with high inflation. It angers customers and dissolves trust in the entire industry. After 80 years in business, we know there is a better way to treat people." "I encourage storage providers to follow our lead and offer a monthly price lock for a full year," Shoen added. "It will protect consumers and make our industry better." Phoenix-based U-Haul owns and manages more than 2,100 self-storage facilities comprising approximately 98 million square feet across North America. It also operates more than 24,000 truck-rental locations across 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces.

Class action accuses U-Haul of deceptive 'drip pricing' that hides fees. Edited by: top class actions | november 17, 2025. U-Haul class action lawsuit overview: * Who: Plaintiff Christopher Barnett filed a class action lawsuit against U-Haul International Inc. * Why: Barnett alleges U-Haul adds hidden fees to its advertised prices in violation of California's Honest Pricing Law. * Where: The U-Haul class action lawsuit was filed in California state court. A new class action lawsuit alleges U-Haul International adds hidden fees to its advertised prices in violation of California's Honest Pricing Law. Plaintiff Christopher Barnett filed the class action complaint against U-Haul in California state court, alleging violations of state consumer laws. Barnett claims U-Haul charges consumers hidden fees in violation of California's Honest Pricing Law, which requires businesses to include all fees in advertised prices. The plaintiff alleges U-Haul uses "drip pricing" by displaying low prices for truck rentals but adding an "environmental fee" of $1 at the end of the transaction. Barnett says the fee is only revealed after consumers go through multiple pages to finalize their rental, making it difficult for them to compare prices or back out of the transaction. Plaintiff claims hidden fees charged twice. Barnett claims he was charged the hidden fee twice for truck rentals advertised at $29.95, with the fee only appearing at checkout. He argues U-Haul's practice misleads consumers into believing they are getting a better deal than they actually are. The plaintiff alleges U-Haul's conduct frustrates competition and causes consumers to pay more than they intended. He claims U-Haul had ample time to comply with the law, which went into effect on July 1, 2024, but chose not to. Barnett seeks to represent a class of California consumers who were charged fees not included in U-Haul's advertised prices since July 1, 2024. He is suing for violations of California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law as well as for negligent misrepresentation, fraud and quasi-contract. The plaintiff demands a jury trial and seeks an order forcing U-Haul to include all fees in advertised prices, as well as restitution, damages and attorney fees. In other hidden fees, a homebuyer recently filed a class action against Zillow accusing the company of deceiving consumers into using its agents and charging undisclosed fees that inflated home prices. What do you think of the claims made in this U-Haul class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments. The plaintiff is represented by Paul K. Haines of Haines Law Group APC and Jack Day and Calvin Bryne of Day Bryne & McIntosh. The U-Haul class action lawsuit is Barnett v. U-Haul International Inc., Case No. 2:25-cv-09893, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles. Don't miss out! Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements: