Rental Application Fees
Answers for Renters

When you apply to rent a place to live, you probably will be asked to pay an application fee.  By law, the maximum fee that can be charged is about $34 per adult over the age of 18.  This amount is based upon a state law that limits the fee to $30 plus annual adjustments of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since 1998.
         
The amount of the application fee charged by rental owners and property management companies varies.  The typical fee is $30, but many owners and managers charge less or nothing at all.
         
The purpose of the fee is to cover the cost of obtaining and reviewing information regarding your credit history, employment, previous rental experience and other data relevant to assessing your ability to meet the particular renter criteria for the property you wish to rent.
         
If your application to rent is denied based upon your credit history, the rental owner or manager is required by law to provide such notice in writing, including specific information regarding your rights regarding the accuracy of the credit data.  If you encounter rental owners or managers who are unfamiliar with this requirement, refer them to the local rental housing association or an experienced landlord-tenant attorney.