News: application

Landlords can charge 83 cents more this year for applicant screening fees

February 2, 2015

Property owners can now charge a rental applicant up to $45.99 to cover screening fees, such as a credit check and time spent gathering information on the prospective tenant. The new maximum fee, permitted since December 2014, is 83 cents higher than last year’s fee and is based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Members can follow this link for a more in-depth explanation of what owners can do – and what they can’t – related to application charges.

Tagged: Accepting the Application Compliance Application and Screening Process

Legal Q&A: Minimize risk when rejecting tenant application

January 16, 2015

Question: What is the best way to say no to an application and avoid a discrimination lawsuit? The prospect’s credit is worse than he said it was, and I want to avoid trouble. Answer: You are required by law to inform the tenant of the reasons in writing for denying the application if the reason was partially or wholly based upon the credit report. The best way to deliver this news is to inform the prospective tenant that if he or she can get the credit history cleaned up, you would be happy to have this person reapply. Reject the… Read More

Tagged: Compliance Legal Q&A Security Deposits Application and Screening Process

Legal Q&A: Can an underage wife sign a lease?

September 8, 2014

Question: I am a manager of a 56-unit complex. One of the tenants informed me that his girlfriend moved in. I gave him an application and told him to have her fill it out and then return it to me. It has been 10 days, and I have not gotten it back. Answer: If the lease prohibits the assigning or subletting of the premises without your permission, you can serve a three-day notice to perform conditions and/or covenants or quit, detailing the violation. The notice should require that they either turn in the application, or she must vacate the property… Read More

Tagged: Columns Compliance Legal Q&A

Legal Q&A: Resident doesn’t want on-site staff doing repairs. What now?

January 25, 2014

Question: My tenant has verbally notified me that he will be terminating the lease in two weeks and said to use the deposit for the two weeks rent. The contract is a month-to-month and requires 30 days notice. What can I do? Answer: You may consider giving the tenant a three-day notice to pay rent or quit for the rent owed, since a verbal notice has no legal effect. Question: I would be interested in knowing what to do when a resident is demanding a repair be made inside of their apartment, but at the same time is demanding that… Read More

Tagged: Columns Compliance Legal Q&A

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