Is this fee legal?
Application fees, security deposits, and broker fees each have a specific rule. Check yours.
This applies the general New York rule to what you enter — it's a starting signal, not a legal determination. All figures update instantly and no data is saved or sent anywhere.
About the fee
Result
Within the legal cap
A landlord can charge at most $20 for a credit and background check, and must give you a copy of the report. $0.00 is within that cap.
Read Application Fees →A general information screen, not a legal determination
Junk-fee red flags
- A fee with no clear name or written explanation
- Cash-only or wire-transfer-only payment demanded on the spot
- A “non-refundable” fee charged before you've seen the apartment
- A fee that duplicates one you already paid (e.g. two application fees for one household)
- Pressure to pay immediately or “lose the apartment”
Questions
What if a fee doesn't fit any of these categories?
Choose “Something else” — there's no single bright-line rule for every possible fee, so we point you to the red-flag list and general advice instead of guessing.
Can a landlord ever charge more than these caps?
Some exceptions and edge cases exist under New York law. When in doubt, contact NYS Homes and Community Renewal, NYC Consumer and Worker Protection, or a tenant attorney before paying a disputed fee.