How Much Can Landlords Charge for Application Fees in California?

California law limits how much a potential landlord can charge you for an application fee, although the cap increases each year based on inflation. In 1998, the cap was $30. By 2019, it had risen to $50.94. That's just the upper limit, though—a landlord is only allowed to charge you the amount they actually paid in screening fees.

As an applicant, you have the right to see a written receipt of your potential landlord’s screening expenses. If their expenses ended up being less than you paid, they have to return the remaining money to you.

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