Why Do Apartments Charge Application Fees?
Demystify apartment application fees. Uncover why landlords charge them, what expenses they cover, and their operational realities.
An apartment application fee is a one-time payment made by a prospective tenant to a landlord or property management company when submitting a rental application. This fee primarily covers the expenses associated with processing the application. These fees are a standard component of the rental process.
Core Reasons for Charging Fees
Landlords and property managers typically charge application fees to manage various aspects of the rental process efficiently. These fees help fund necessary screening processes to assess a prospective tenant’s reliability and creditworthiness, aiding in risk mitigation.
Another purpose of application fees is to deter non-serious applicants. A non-refundable fee encourages only genuinely interested individuals to apply, saving time and resources for the property manager. Additionally, the fees contribute to offsetting the administrative burden and staff time involved in processing applications, regardless of whether an applicant is ultimately approved.
Specific Costs Covered by Application Fees
Apartment application fees cover several specific expenditures incurred during the tenant screening process. A significant portion of the fee typically covers the cost of acquiring an applicant’s credit report from major bureaus. This report helps assess financial responsibility, including payment patterns and outstanding debts. Credit checks commonly cost between $15 and $40.
Fees also fund criminal background checks, conducted to help ensure the safety and security of the property and its residents. Application fees often cover the expense of researching an applicant’s past rental history, specifically looking for prior evictions, which can indicate a tenant’s reliability in meeting rent obligations.
The fees also contribute to the staff time and resources dedicated to verifying employment details and contacting previous landlords for references. This verification process confirms a prospective tenant’s reliable source of income and positive rental track record. Many landlords utilize specialized third-party services for comprehensive tenant screening, and the application fees help cover the charges from these providers. These comprehensive screening services can range from approximately $25 to $75 per applicant, but may be higher depending on the depth of the checks performed.
Understanding Fee Practicalities
Most apartment application fees are non-refundable, regardless of whether the applicant is approved or denied. This is because the costs associated with conducting the screening, such as obtaining reports and verifying information, are incurred once the application process begins.
The typical amount for an apartment application fee varies by location and the extent of the screening conducted. Applicants can expect to pay between $25 and $75 per person, though some fees can be as high as $100 or more. The national average for such fees is around $50. It is also common for the fee to be charged per adult applicant, as each individual over a certain age undergoes a separate screening process. This differs from a security deposit, which is typically a single charge applied to the rental unit.