Wondering about the typical application fee in Washington, DC? The most a landlord can charge a prospective tenant to fill out an application is $52.
Washington, DC is one of the few places where rental application fees are capped. In most other states, landlords can charge as much as they want.
Laws limiting application fees are designed to protect consumers. They ensure that landlords charge only as much as it costs to screen the tenant.
What are Washington, DC's rental application fee laws, and how can an expert property management company help you comply with them? Read on to find out.
Washington, DC Application Fee Laws
The Code of the District of Columbia Section 42-3505.10 places a cap on rental application fees in Washington, DC. According to this law, landlords cannot charge more than $50 for a prospective tenant to fill out an application.
More recently, the state enacted the Eviction Record Sealing Authority and Fairness in Renting Amendment Act of 2023. This law allows for annual increases in application fees based on inflation.
As of January 2024, that means the highest amount a landlord can charge for an application fee is $52. This amount is subject to change based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in 2025.
Other Rental Application Laws to Know
The cap on application fees is not the only important law rental property owners need to know. Here are two more of the many essential rental regulations Washington, DC landlords should keep in mind.
Tenants' Rights to Refund
In Washington, DC, tenants have the right to a refund of their application fee if the landlord does not use it to cover the cost of the application. This law applies even if only a portion of the fee is not used to screen the tenant.
Application Fees Only
Washington, DC landlords cannot charge prospective tenants any additional fees until they sign a lease. When the tenant signs the lease, landlords can start collecting additional fees, such as deposits and pet fees.
Why Charge Rental Application Fees?
The main reason why landlords charge rental application fees is to cover the cost of screening tenants. These costs include but are not limited to:
- Running credit checks
- Verifying rental history
- Evaluating income
- Checking for past evictions
- Examining criminal records
Another reason landlords charge fees to prospective tenants is to weed out casual applicants. Charging higher application fees can also reduce the administrative burden per unit.
A Property Management Company Can Help Screen Tenants
Landlords can charge up to $52 for a rental application in Washington, DC. This charge can help you recover the cost of screening tenants. Rental application fee laws are ever-changing, but you can stay up-to-date by working with an expert property management company.
Do you struggle to stay up to date with all the laws and regulations for rental applications? PMI DC Metro has nearly 20 years of experience screening tenants in Washington, DC. You can rely on our expertise to stay compliant and secure only the best tenants.
Contact us today to learn about our tenant screening services.
