How NYC Apartment Applications Can Improve Tenant Relationships

Rental application fees are commonly charged to cover the expense of credit reports, background checks, and eviction reports. In New York City, you can charge a maximum of $20 per applicant. Screening is an essential part of finding the right tenants, and it’s crucial you remain compliant throughout the process.

However, the application and screening process is often the first contact you have with a prospective tenant. Even if they don’t meet certain requirements, having an efficient, courteous, and transparent process can bolster your reputation. Try following these tips to make the process easier for tenants and your business.

Be Transparent and Upfront With Applicants

When you charge applicants a fee, it’s important that they understand why you’re doing so. Be sure to explain to the applicant that they will be charged an application fee and explain what the fee will cover.

When you present the applicant with this information, it might be a good opportunity to explain additional fees the applicant may see, such as a security deposit. This will be helpful to you in the long run, as it will help to avoid any future confusion, create a positive foundation for your landlord tenant relationship, and help the applicant to plan out their expenses accordingly.

Never Forgo Tenant Screenings

As a landlord, you should never opt out of running tenant screening reports. These reports are the best way to guarantee if an applicant will be a reliable, quality tenant.

Screening reports will inform you on an applicant’s renting history as well as any eviction history. This can be very telling as to what kind of tenant this applicant is. Running tenant screening reports, regardless of the costs, can save you a lot of time, money, and stress in the long run.

Offer Refundable Application Fees

If, for some reason, you make the decision to reject an application before running a credit history report or background check, such as having leased the unit by the time they applied, it’s best practice to refund the application fee to the applicant. This will help build your reputation as a landlord with integrity, as well as save you from any potential problems with tenants in the future.

Don’t Charge Fees Without Checking the Laws

Landlord tenant laws are constantly changing. While the law may currently state that a landlord in New York City can’t charge more than $20 in application fees, this may change in the future. For this reason, it's important to stay up to date with any changes made to these laws. This way, you can avoid finding yourself in legal trouble for a law you didn’t know existed.

Outerbridge Law Can Help You Navigate Landlord-Tenant Law

If you’re not sure about what a law permits you to charge fees for as a landlord, don’t take any risks. Consulting with an experienced landlord tenant attorney like Altagracia B. Pierre-Outerbridge can save you the hassle of being fined for noncompliance or breaking fee laws. If you need answers, contact Outerbridge Law P.C. today to schedule a consultation.