Under Real Property Law § 238-a, landlords generally can’t charge more than $20 per applicant for a rental application fee. The law was enacted as part of broader rent reform efforts designed to reduce financial barriers for renters.
Landlords must also waive the fee if an applicant provides a credit or background screening report completed within the previous 30 days that contains the information necessary for the landlord’s review. Applicants may request documentation showing how the fee was used, and landlords must be prepared to justify any screening charges they collect.