How much is an apartment application fee?
The amount depends on the property and local rules. An application or screening fee usually pays for reviewing a prospective renter. It is separate from rent and from money paid to reserve the apartment. Ask whether the charge applies to each adult, each application or the household.
| Location or property | Published amount | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New York landlord screening | Up to $20 | The state Attorney General describes this limit for a landlord's credit and background check |
| Bridgeport, Raleigh, North Carolina | $75 per person over 18 | The property's FAQ lists a separate $200 administrative fee |
Sources: New York Attorney General's tenant guide and Bridgeport's published fees. A property example in North Carolina does not establish what is allowed in New York or another state. Special housing arrangements can have different rules.
Calculate the cost for everyone applying
FeeHQ calculation: two adult applicants
Using Bridgeport's listed charges, two applicants over 18 would pay 2 × $75 = $150 in application fees. Adding the separately listed $200 administrative charge gives $350 before rent, deposits or other costs. Confirm when the administrative charge is due and its refund conditions before paying.
When comparing apartments, record the application total separately from the amount due at lease signing. If several adults need checks, a small per-person price can add up quickly. Ask whether a guarantor also needs a paid screening and whether changing the move-in date requires another application.
Do you get the application fee back if denied?
Payment does not guarantee approval. Do not assume either that denial creates a refund or that every charge labeled nonrefundable is valid. Ask what happens if the application is never processed, the unit is rented to someone else, you withdraw, or you fail screening. Get the answer and the applicable terms before submitting payment.
A holding deposit has a different purpose and may have different refund rules. If a checkout page combines screening, administration and holding money, request an itemized receipt rather than treating the whole amount as one application fee.
Can an existing report avoid another charge?
New York's Attorney General says an applicant can provide a credit or background check performed within the previous 30 days to avoid the relevant charge. The guide also requires the landlord to supply the report and invoice when charging for the check. This is a New York example, not a rule to assume elsewhere.
Ask other properties whether they accept a reusable screening report and what it must include. Review the stated rental criteria and confirm that the apartment is available before paying. This helps avoid spending money on an application that cannot meet your needs.
Questions to settle before you pay
- Which apartment and move-in date does this application cover?
- How many people must pay, including any guarantor?
- Which charges are for screening, administration or holding the unit?
- What happens to each charge if the rental does not go ahead?
- Where can you read the screening criteria and receive a receipt?
Sources and review notes
- New York Attorney General: screening charges and recent reports ↗
- Bridgeport, Raleigh: application, administration and pet charges ↗
We checked these primary sources on October 29, 2026. Published provider prices are examples, not a national average or an endorsement. Availability, scope, taxes and terms may change. FeeHQ calculations are labeled illustrations. How we research fees.