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Is it illegal for a landlord to charge me an application fee?
My girlfriend and I have been looking into apartments for a while now, and I keep seeing ads with fees for applications. So, essentially, I'm applying to live somewhere, and paying for that process.. Personally. I do not feel I should pay for that. Only because I've got no idea why the landlord needs the money. Where exactly are they filing my application? Is the landlord a licensed realtor? Most times I am dealing with the building owner, aka landlord. And nothing states the landlord is the realtor of the property. So, why are they charging potential tenants application fees? Non refundable at that. I wouldn't feel so bad if it was prorated into the rent if my application was accepted. I would appreciate hearing from realtors and landlords, in hopes to give me a better understanding of this process. Thanks in advance!
In response to the answers received, I say thank you. But, In regards to user reenzz, I do, and don't understand why that is in place. In the event that it is legal, landlords should know that the majority of their tenants will probably not live there for the rest of their lives. Due to whatever reasons. So, what's the point in doing a credit check? Call me old fashioned, or a bit ignorant I guess, but I despise the credit system. It's nothing more that borrowed money. And essentially you pay double what you were "loaned" because of interest rates, and whatever you charge to your credit account. Whatever happened to word of mouth? Cash? Honesty and integrity? I mean, I'll end up being a first time renter. Where exactly would I get references from? And why should a credit score matter so much when credit is nothing but a failed system in this economy. I mean, technically speaking, a credit card company makes more off of you when in debt, because they sell that
to other companies and make a profit. It's a profit on a fake dollar. So, in this messed up world, credit is king. And everybody wants to know your credit is in good standing. But if I use cash, I'm under scrutiny. That's messed up in my opinion. And that's why I feel as if the credit applications are not only a joke, but unnecessary as well.
3 Answers
- ?Lv 67 years ago
That is a scam that is used a lot in Washington state. The idea is that outsiders who enter the state feel they have no standing to prevent being taken advantage of, or to report to authorities. Quite often these are only schemes used by the on-duty manager and the money is pocketed as a kind of gratuity. Another Washington fraud is the painting deposit. In fact public and business disregard of law is common in that and probably other, mostly western states. If you are being relocated by an employer, be sure to figure such conversions into your relocation benefits package, or contact the employer housing admin for assistance. Be sure to keep exacting records--request itemization--for all such "fees" that are charged for normal overhead expenses against rent. Businesses and people masquerading as legitimate get away with such larceny mostly because the word spreads around that it is normal business; and people accept sheepishly.
- LILLLv 77 years ago
Not only is it legal, it is VERY common. It costs money to run credit checks/background checks. They past that cost onto you in the application fee.
- 7 years ago
Illegal no! Immoral Yes! these landlords do this because most of them are greedy little pigs trying to cash in on the American dream with other peoples money.
