The rental housing market is in turmoil. Housing demand has skyrocketed, and the supply side is well aware of this, resulting in costs nearly doubling. Renting an apartment now involves an expense that would have seemed exorbitant ten years ago. Even now, it still seems that way, but society has simply accepted it. Many real estate agencies and landlords are taking advantage of the situation to impose charges that are borderline illegal or outright illegal. In fact, many tenants are paying illegal fees without even realizing it. In some cities, prospective tenants are asked to pay a fee just to view the apartment. This practice, known as an “application fee” or “rental application fee,” has been criticized for the additional costs it imposes on potential tenants.
Some prospective tenants are told they must pay around $50 just to view an apartment
It’s important to emphasize that these fees don’t guarantee you’ll be able to rent the apartment. These additional charges, while presented as “normal,” could actually violate housing laws in various U.S. states. There have been cases that have raised serious concerns. For example, some prospective tenants are told they must pay around $50 just to view an apartment. But it doesn’t end there; some agencies then charge another $50 for participating in the selection process. This fee is obviously non-refundable and doesn’t guarantee that the tenants will actually get the property.
This is the case in some states where landlords add charges for lease renewals, updating records
These fees aren’t only borne by prospective tenants; they can also affect families already living in an apartment who need to renew their lease, for example. This is the case in some states where landlords add charges for lease renewals, updating records, or what they call “administrative management.” While the law allows for small fees for certain administrative tasks, exorbitant amounts are illegal. The same applies to late rent payments. Some jurisdictions do have explicit late fees, but again, some landlords impose penalties that double or even exceed the monthly rent for just a few days of delay.
Regarding the initial security deposit, it’s important to remember that it should cover actual damages beyond normal wear and tear
Tenants are also reminded that there are penalties for leaving a rental property before the agreed-upon term. However, penalties that can sometimes amount to several months’ rent plus additional charges are unacceptable. While such penalties may exist, they must be reasonable and reflect the landlord’s actual losses. Regarding the initial security deposit, it’s important to remember that it should cover actual damages beyond normal wear and tear. However, many landlords deduct cleaning fees or minor scratches, which is prohibited in numerous states.
These fees typically range from $10 to $50, although in high-demand markets this amount may increase slightly
And to conclude the point we started with, we’d like to remind you that the “application fee” is a charge intended to cover the administrative costs associated with the tenant screening process. In other words, it’s a fee that is expected, but it should never be excessive. These fees typically range from $10 to $50, although in high-demand markets this amount may increase slightly. Companies argue that the screening process includes background checks, credit reviews, and application processing. In any case, if you feel you are being treated unfairly, it’s best to consult with regulatory bodies.
Ultimately, finding an apartment these days is a difficult task, especially in big cities. In some parts of the United States, landlords even require personal documents, references from previous landlords, and explicit questionnaires about prospective tenants. They also check financial solvency and may even ask for authorization for the agency to access the prospective tenant’s (or not prospective, but not yet a tenant’s) financial information and background check.