Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)
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APRO’s Rent-to-Own Rules and Regulations: The Industry’s Definitive Compliance Reference

Last Updated on August 18, 2026

The Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO) publishes and maintains the Rent-to-Own Rules and Regulations, a comprehensive state-by-state compliance reference for the rent-to-own (RTO) industry in the United States. As the national trade association representing the rent-to-own industry, APRO produces this resource to help member companies operate in full compliance with the laws governing rental-purchase transactions across all fifty states and the federal framework.

What the Rules and Regulations Document Covers #

The reference consolidates the complex, jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction requirements that rent-to-own operators must navigate. It organizes RTO law into the categories that matter most to day-to-day operations, including:

  • In-store price tag disclosures – what information must appear on merchandise, from Cash Price and total rent-to-own price to Rental Period and number of payments for ownership
  • Rent-to-own price controls – the six states (California, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Vermont, and West Virginia) that cap both cash prices and total rent-to-own prices through statutory multipliers tied to product category
  • Notices to consumers – the specific statutory language each state requires in rental-purchase agreements
  • RTO agreement disclosures – a 41-point comparison of required contract terms across every state, from Total Cost of Ownership to early buy-out options and Reinstatement rights
  • Specifications on fees and payments – permitted late charges, grace periods, Reinstatement fees, in-home collection fees, and other statutory fee limits
  • Advertising disclosures – the triggering terms that obligate additional disclosures in RTO advertising
  • Reinstatement rights – the Reinstatement and cure periods available to consumers who miss payments

Because rent-to-own is governed by a patchwork of state statutes rather than a single national law, no operator can reasonably track every requirement from memory. APRO’s Rules and Regulations translates that patchwork into a single, navigable reference.

Why APRO Maintains This Resource #

Rent-to-own gives consumers a transparent, no-credit-required path to acquire household goods, furniture, appliances, and electronics – with the freedom to return merchandise at any time without penalty or obligation. Protecting the integrity of that transaction is core to APRO’s mission.

A healthy rent-to-own industry regulates itself. It does so through informed operators who understand their legal obligations and meet them consistently. By maintaining an authoritative compliance reference and keeping it current, APRO equips its members to uphold the highest standards of transparency and consumer protection – reinforcing the trust that has made rent-to-own a durable option for millions of households.

This is one expression of a broader commitment. APRO advocates for the industry before legislators and regulators, produces educational and best-practice resources, and works continuously to advance responsible business conduct across the sector. The Rules and Regulations reference sits at the practical center of that work: it is where APRO’s advocacy and its members’ operations meet.

Access and Authorship #

The full Rent-to-Own Rules and Regulations reference is available to APRO members in the Business Resource Hub. The current edition was developed with the legal expertise of Hudson Cook, LLP, whose attorneys are recognized authorities in consumer financial services and rental-purchase law.

Companies interested in accessing the complete reference – and in the advocacy, education, and compliance support that come with APRO membership – can learn more at rtohq.org.

Frequently Asked Questions #

What is APRO’s Rent-to-Own Rules and Regulations reference? #

APRO’s Rent-to-Own Rules and Regulations is a comprehensive compliance reference that organizes state and federal requirements affecting rental-purchase transactions. It helps APRO members understand the laws and regulations that apply to rent-to-own operations across the United States.

Who can access APRO’s Rent-to-Own Rules and Regulations? #

The full Rent-to-Own Rules and Regulations reference is available to APRO members as part of the association’s compliance, education, and industry support resources.

What information is included in the Rent-to-Own Rules and Regulations? #

The reference covers key areas of rent-to-own compliance, including price tag requirements, agreement disclosures, price controls, consumer notices, fees and payments, advertising disclosures, and Reinstatement rights.

Are rent-to-own laws different in every state? #

Yes. Rent-to-own transactions are primarily governed by state law, and requirements can vary significantly by jurisdiction. Operators need to understand the specific requirements that apply in each state where they conduct business.

Table of contents

Mike Lewis

Central Properties dba Premier Rental-Purchase

Mike Lewis is a Premier Rental Purchase franchisee with multiple stores and currently serves as Vice President of Operations. With 33 years of experience in the rent-to-own industry, he has spent the past 20 years working closely with franchisee owners and previously spent 12 years in Corporate RTO, gaining a strong foundation in the business.

For the past five years, Mike has been sharing his knowledge by teaching managers and franchisees at the company’s Training Center.

Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, kids, and grandkids, and appreciates the simple things in life – especially riding his Harley Davidson with the sun on his face. If you know, you know!

Lauren Talicska

Arona Corporation dba Arona Home Essentials

Lauren Talicska is an experienced multi-channel marketing specialist and the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Arona Home Essentials. She has found her home in the RTO community, supporting stores in branding, growth, and increasing traffic.

You may recognize Lauren as a former RTO vendor, including her time as a partner for Nationwide RentDirect, or her previous participation in the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee. Lauren calls Columbus, Ohio, home and spends her workday crafting and executing marketing promotions from inception to realization, all while supporting the branding and social media needs of all the Arona stores in 12 states (plus Puerto Rico!).

Charles Smitherman

APRO

Charles Smitherman, JD, PhD, CAE, became CEO of APRO in 2023, bringing years of legal and executive experience in the rent-to-own industry. 

Prior to joining the association, Charles served as COO, General Counsel, and Vice President of PTS Financial Services, where he played an active role in the rent-to-own industry by representing his company through PTS’s club program offering with APRO member dealers. Charles is an attorney with two decades of experience across a wide variety of areas, including RTO, consumer financial services, antitrust, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, franchise law, and privacy law. Following law school at the University of Georgia, Charles earned a Master of Legal Studies and PhD in Law from the University of Oxford in England.

Charles is credentialed as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with the American Society of Association Executives, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) with the International Franchise Association, and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals. As APRO’s sixth CEO in its 45-year history, he brings a collaborative, member-focused approach to association leadership, emphasizing transparency, advocacy, and value creation. Outside of work, Charles is an active ultra runner and open water swimmer.

Mike Kays

Ashley Furniture Industries

As VP of Rental Sales for Ashley Furniture Industries, Mike thrives on building relationships with our RTO industry veterans, and helping businesses grow through new product, new marketing, and new supply chain options.

Mike works to leverage a wide breadth of relationships and influence, intimate knowledge of market trends, and unique knowledge of what RTO dealers need from a supplier to be successful.

The saying goes that a high tide raises all boats, and our goal is to leverage the world’s largest furniture manufacturer to drive the continued growth of the RTO industry and all the suppliers.

Mike Tissot

Countryside Rentals Inc., dba Rent-2-Own

Mike grew up in the rent-to-own industry under the guidance of his father, former APRO President and RTO legend Darrell Tissot. For nearly 25 years, Mike’s innovative leadership has helped expand the family business to more than 40 stores across Ohio and Kentucky while also shaping the industry as a whole.

He has served as President of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association, an APRO board member and Treasurer, and President and Treasurer of the TRIB Group. His contributions have earned him the APRO President’s Award of Excellence and the title of APRO Rental Dealer of the Year.

Outside of RTO, Mike enjoys time at the lake house or in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his girlfriend, Angela Strong McCool. A passionate Cincinnati Reds fan, he rarely misses a game, whether watching or listening alongside his parents. He also takes every opportunity to visit Arizona, where his daughter is currently attending Arizona State University.