Guides
Rental Application Fee Guides
Straight answers on what application fees should cost, when they're refundable, and how to stop overpaying — on the renter's side.
How Much Does Tenant Screening Actually Cost? (And Your Markup)
A full tenant screen costs a landlord about $30. Here's what's behind that number and how to tell how marked-up your application fee is.
Can a Landlord Keep My Application Fee If I'm Denied?
Whether your application fee is refundable depends on your state and whether the landlord actually screened you. Here's how to get it back.
Stop Paying a New Application Fee at Every Apartment
You can often reuse one tenant screening report across multiple listings instead of paying a fresh fee each time. Here's how.
See if your application fee is legal — free
Pick your state and the amount you paid. We check it against the law and the real cost of screening.