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10-27-2010, 04:42 PM
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Location: In Denial
688 posts, read 1,128,657 times
Reputation: 555
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We are looking for a place in Wash DC / MD area and have discovered that many places ask for an "administrative fee" that is often several hundred dollars, an "application fee" that runs $25-60 per person, sometimes a "TV fee" in addition to the usual security deposit, etc. 
I am not an experienced renter, but I don't recall EVER seeing these types of crazy add-on fees. These fees are not being charged by just one or two ultra lux places, rather by about 75% of the properties we have researched! The administrative fees aren't immediately evident- uusually a small notation soemwhere on the website.
Is this commonplace? |
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10-27-2010, 08:09 PM
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Location: Seaford, Delaware
3,484 posts, read 18,304,567 times
Reputation: 2681
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I've never heard of those charges. But as a LL. I'd be very interested in knowing what they are for and how to begin charging them for my rentals. If I tried to charge those things I would have lots of vacancies.
I'll be anxious to find out if anyone knows what they are and where they came from.
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10-27-2010, 10:02 PM
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3,111 posts, read 7,418,817 times
Reputation: 4256
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there are a few complexes that have those fees where i live, but i don't even know what a tv fee would be for.
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10-27-2010, 11:16 PM
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27,486 posts, read 56,523,914 times
Reputation: 21888
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Call the local apartment house association and ask... my local one is glad to answer questions.
Don't know how it works in WA  |
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10-28-2010, 12:32 AM
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Location: In Denial
688 posts, read 1,128,657 times
Reputation: 555
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Good idea! Some of these properties have townhomes and condos associated with the management companies- the fees may be an HOA- but I will certainly ask-
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10-28-2010, 12:21 PM
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2,060 posts, read 5,310,638 times
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The tv fee may be down to an exclusive cable/satellite agreement the building has, we rented one apartment in a high rise that had a quarterly fee due to the company that you had to get your Directv from. Cable wasn't allowed.
The application fee is usually to run your credit report. Around $30-35 is normal. The admin fee - I've seen it at one place but we didn't end up renting there...
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10-28-2010, 07:15 PM
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4,399 posts, read 9,673,088 times
Reputation: 2364
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marska
We are looking for a place in Wash DC / MD area and have discovered that many places ask for an "administrative fee" that is often several hundred dollars, an "application fee" that runs $25-60 per person, sometimes a "TV fee" in addition to the usual security deposit, etc.
I am not an experienced renter, but I don't recall EVER seeing these types of crazy add-on fees. These fees are not being charged by just one or two ultra lux places, rather by about 75% of the properties we have researched! The administrative fees aren't immediately evident- uusually a small notation soemwhere on the website.
Is this commonplace? |
WHere are looking? I've never heard of this? I've rented all over new england and now New York. If you are in NYC don't let on that you are new to the city..... |
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07-31-2014, 07:08 PM
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Location: NJ & NV
5,598 posts, read 14,400,322 times
Reputation: 2253
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You and everyone else in the USA have the federally guaranteed legal right to watch FREE modern high quality digital TV. Which you do NOT pay anyone for. Especially in or close to the cities that is a no brainer.
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07-04-2019, 08:56 PM
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2,410 posts, read 5,149,442 times
Reputation: 1893
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marska
We are looking for a place in Wash DC / MD area and have discovered that many places ask for an "administrative fee" that is often several hundred dollars, an "application fee" that runs $25-60 per person, sometimes a "TV fee" in addition to the usual security deposit, etc.
I am not an experienced renter, but I don't recall EVER seeing these types of crazy add-on fees. These fees are not being charged by just one or two ultra lux places, rather by about 75% of the properties we have researched! The administrative fees aren't immediately evident- uusually a small notation soemwhere on the website.
Is this commonplace? |
Fees are being added to rentals by predatory property mgmt companies all over the country. It's out of control. I've read literally hundreds of reviews in various cities I'm researching, and there are many, many complaints about fees for everything, some of which are added after the lease is signed. In big metro areas, these prop mgmt companies are getting away with a lot of very questionable tactics due to the competition for places to live and renters not having time or resources to take them to court.
One very large mgmt company in Michigan is "double dipping," in other words, asking tenants for 2 months rent if they break the lease due to a job change, etc, and then they are renting the apartment sooner than 60 days, against Michigan law. One tenant found out after they paid the 60 days of rent that their apt was rented after 30 days, and challenged the prop mgmt company, asking for one month's rent back since the unit was rented. Their response was: "Take us to court if you don't like it." So, basically the Big Boys are intimidating tenants and getting away with predatory illegal activities.
In addition, I would ask any potential rental company to clearly spell out ALL fees associated with a rental, and get it in writing. If they refuse, move on and look elsewhere. A several hundred $$ administrative fee needs to be specifically understood as to what it is for, prior to signing a lease.
Also, I would find out if these places are double dipping on cleaning fees, in other words, asking an tenant who is leaving to pay fees to clean their apt and sometimes not returning deposits, and also asking a new tenant to pay a cleaning fee for the same unit. That's also double dipping. Be sure to ask about all fees associated with exiting an apartment. Many of those fees are not disclosed up front, and tenants don't know about them until they get hit with bills at the end, or their deposits are not returned. Renting is a nightmare these days.
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07-05-2019, 09:32 AM
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Location: Riverside Ca
22,165 posts, read 25,382,084 times
Reputation: 35089
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marska
We are looking for a place in Wash DC / MD area and have discovered that many places ask for an "administrative fee" that is often several hundred dollars, an "application fee" that runs $25-60 per person, sometimes a "TV fee" in addition to the usual security deposit, etc.
I am not an experienced renter, but I don't recall EVER seeing these types of crazy add-on fees. These fees are not being charged by just one or two ultra lux places, rather by about 75% of the properties we have researched! The administrative fees aren't immediately evident- uusually a small notation soemwhere on the website.
Is this commonplace? |
It sounds like it’s becoming commonplace. My buddy called a few weeks ago saying some places out here (Ca) wanted $300 admin fees on top of application fees.
I charge none of those things except for a $38 application/background check fee. I guess I could charge admin fees because it’s not illegal to do so. I just CANT charge over a certain state mandated application fee. Sort of like your bank or our esteemed government. They can’t tax you without having to have a majority vote, but they can raise fees at will.
There are no limits for admin fees or any other fees
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