Are Rental Application Fees Legal in California?
What California lets a landlord charge to apply — and how that compares to what screening actually costs.
actual cost, ≤ ~$62 — A landlord may only charge the actual out-of-pocket cost of screening, up to a CPI-adjusted maximum (about $62.02 in 2024). The unused portion must be refunded, and the landlord must give you an itemized receipt.
A full tenant screen costs a landlord about $30. Landlords typically charge applicants $55 — so any fee well above ~$30 is mostly markup, and in California that overage is refundable or unlawful.
| Cap type | Actual cost (with $ ceiling) |
|---|---|
| The legal line | actual cost, ≤ ~$62 |
| Refund rights | Any amount above actual cost must be refunded, and the full fee refunded if the landlord never obtained a screening report. |
| Receipt required | Yes |
| Reusable screening report | Not specified |
| Statute | Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.6 |
Check your California application fee
We'll compare it to the law and the real cost of screening.
How California compares
See every state's cap, the real cost of screening, and the markup landlords add — the full picture in one place.
Informational only, not legal advice — verify Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.6 and current screening costs before acting.