Leases and deposits
What fees can a landlord charge besides rent and the deposit?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Common extras include pet fees, parking, storage, amenity or package fees, utility billing fees, trash and pest control charges, and late fees. Which are allowed, and how large they can be, varies by state and city. Any recurring fee should be written into your lease before you sign, not added afterward.
Fees tend to show up in three places:
- At move-in: administrative or lease processing fees, key or fob fees, move-in fees in condo buildings, and sometimes a non-refundable cleaning or redecorating fee, which some states restrict
- Every month: parking, storage, amenities, valet trash, pest control, bundled internet, and utility billing or admin fees on top of your usage
- When something happens: late fees, returned payment fees, lockout fees, lease-break fees and unit transfer fees
Before you apply, ask for the total monthly cost, not just the rent. At large complexes, required monthly fees can add a noticeable amount to the advertised price. Some states and cities require landlords to include mandatory fees in the advertised rent, and these rules are changing in more places.
A fee that isn't in your lease is hard for a landlord to enforce. If you are charged something new, ask which clause it comes from. Application fees and holding deposits are covered in rent and application questions.
Want the whole picture? Read Renting Your First Apartment: Applications, Leases and Move-in Costs.