How Much Can Landlords Charge for Application Fees in Massachusetts?

Landlords are not allowed to charge application fees in Massachusetts. It’s possible, however, that a private landlord may refuse to rent you an apartment if you won’t agree to pay an additional (illegal) fee for background or credit checks.

If that’s the case—and you don’t want to lose the apartment—make sure that you ask for a signed and dated receipt that explains exactly what the money was used for. That way, if you ever decide to challenge the fee or deduct it from future rent payments, you can use the receipt as proof.¹

Related: Tenant Screening Laws in Massachusetts

[1] Legal Tactics: Tenants' Rights in Massachusetts, Eighth Edition, May 2017, p 34.