Is it against the law to ask for a application fee and not get the apartment?

Answer 1

no...there are various fees that can be applied toward a rental application, such as a credit check fee...all must be paid before the application is considered...some of them may be refundable if the applicant doesn't get the apartment, others may not be. My parents are landlords for a couple places near my house.

Answer 2

apartment managers can ask you to fill out a credit check application and charge you anywere from 20- 50 bucks for the credit check and you can be denied the apartment if you have bad credit. Some have you pay a deposit on the apartment which is fully refundable if you dont get the apartment and if you did they count it toward your rent

Answer 3

In general, no, it is not illegal. I believe almost all landlords are now requiring an application fee in order to perform credit/background checks. They do not have to refund it if you don't get the apartment. And they can require an additional deposit if you do get the apartment.

Answer 4

No because an application fee is just that, it does not guarantee an apartment

Answer 5

nope...its an application fee, they have to process your application so they can ask for a reasonable fee.

Answer 6

I'm not sure if its illegal, but usually if you don't get the apartment, they refund you the money. Unless, you decline the apartment, then they keep it.