When renting an apartment or house, it's important to anticipate a rental application fee, typically between $35 and $100. This fee covers the costs of background and credit checks conducted by landlords to ensure tenant eligibility. While these fees may not be universally applied, they are prevalent in larger cities. Certain states have set limits on these fees, reflecting trends in the housing market. Understanding the structure of these fees, including what they cover, is essential for first-time renters.
"Rental application fees vary depending on location, but are most typically $35 to $75 per person," says Sarnen Steinbarth, founder and CEO of TurboTenant.
"Typically, a rental application fee will cover the hard costs associated with performing a background, credit, and eviction check to ensure that a tenant is a good fit and meets the landlord's requirements."
"Whether or not soft costs can be included in an application fee can vary from state to state," he says.
"Major metros have pushed for caps on application fees as housing markets have changed, reflecting the evolving landscape of rental properties."
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