- New York City filed a lawsuit this week against Utah-based Extra Space Storage for alleged bait-and-switch practices.
- The lawsuit alleges Extra Space raised rents without notice and failed cleanliness standards, leading to property damages.
- Extra Space Storage said it is aware of the complaint but disagrees with the claims being made.
SALT LAKE CITY — New York City this week filed a lawsuit against Utah-based storage giant Extra Space Storage, accusing the company of operating a "classic bait-and-switch scheme" that traps customers through "predatory business practices."
The lawsuit, filed in a New York state court in Manhattan, seeks full restitution and more than $5 million in civil penalties.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on social media on Wednesday, saying, "New Yorkers are being squeezed everywhere, even just to store their stuff."
New Yorkers are being squeezed everywhere, even just to store their stuff.
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 11, 2026
This week, we sued Extra Space Storage for bait-and-switch pricing and illegal rent hikes. The self-storage Wild West ends now. https://t.co/UfeOEa6WLY
"The self-storage Wild West ends now," he declared.
The city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection alleges Extra Space would "quickly and often dramatically" increase the prices of rental units after consumers moved their belongings into a unit, often without notice.
"Queens consumer Jean Kellman began renting an Extra Space self-storage unit for $290 per month in early 2025. She specifically chose Extra Space because of their advertised competitive, low cost. However, within just three months, Extra Space raised her rent to $479 (an increase of 165%), without any notice whatsoever," the lawsuit alleges.
The company is also accused of changing locks and threatening to auction belongings to "extort" consumers into paying higher rent prices or undisclosed late fees.
Extra Space also often failed to maintain the advertised cleanliness standard of their facilities, leading to widespread vermin infestations, water damage and mold, according to the lawsuit.
In a statement provided to KSL, Extra Space Storage said it is aware of the complaint but disagrees with the claims being made.
"We have begun reviewing the 117 complaints submitted. These are from the approximately 60 properties in New York City that have served over 100,000 customers in that time. We are confident that we operate fully within the bounds of the law and remain committed to continuing to do so," the company said.
The lawsuit further alleges that, along with unanticipated rent hikes, the poor conditions have cost consumers significant sums in estimated property damage, sometimes exceeding $100,000.
One example of this, the lawsuit says, is Alex Rodriguez, who began renting a Bronx unit from Extra Space in October 2021 to store items he sold through his online business, along with personal belongings.
"It wasn't long before he began to see rats in his unit — both dead and alive — when he went to check on his belongings, and noticed that all his belongings seemed to have developed an unpleasant odor, as they were covered in rat feces and urine," said the lawsuit. "Furthermore, he discovered that rats had ripped through all of his boxes and even the items inside the boxes, including his children's toys and clothes, and his own clothing, including expensive hats and shoes."
In 2023, Extra Space Storage completed the largest business acquisition ever by a Utah company, merging with its rival, New York-based Life Storage, in an approximately $12-billion transaction.
