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Tenant Screening Cost Calculator
Size tenant screening expense for a rental. Add credit, background, eviction, and income verification, then compare against the application fee you charge to see net landlord cost per unit filled.
Screening volume
Per-applicant screening costs
Application fee you charge
Some states cap or require refunds — check local law.
Total screening cost
$225
3 applicants
Application fee revenue
$150
Net landlord cost
$75
$75 per unit
Break-even fee
$75
$25 loss/app
How to read this
Charging a screening fee that exactly covers your per-applicant cost keeps the process neutral. Charging above cost can run into state-level caps and FCRA "reasonable cost" limits. Many landlords absorb the cost and recover it via a higher application fee on the winning tenant.
How to Use
- Enter applicants per unit and the number of units you're filling.
- Enter the cost of each screening component — credit, criminal, eviction, income, and admin time.
- Enter the application fee you charge each applicant.
- Review the break-even fee and net landlord cost to see whether your fee covers expenses.
- Check state-level application fee caps before setting a higher fee — some states limit charges to actual cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a typical tenant screening cost?
Full screening (credit + background + eviction + income verification) usually runs $35–$75 per applicant using online screening tools. Adding employer calls or landlord references adds admin time but no cost.
How much can I legally charge for an application fee?
Rules vary by state. California caps application fees to actual cost. New York prohibits most application fees entirely. Many other states leave it uncapped but expect you to pass the FCRA 'reasonable cost' test. Always check local law.
Should I refund application fees to rejected applicants?
Some states require refunds when an applicant is not screened, and some require refunds within a set window. Even where not required, many landlords refund when they never run the screen. Document your policy.
Who pays for the screening — landlord or applicant?
The application fee you charge is designed to cover the cost. In tight markets, landlords sometimes absorb the cost to attract more applicants. In soft markets, a higher fee discourages casual applications.
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