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Is the Screening Fee Refundable?

The screening report fee is non-refundable

TurboTenant Legal avatar
Written by TurboTenant Legal
Updated this week

Once an applicant submits an online screening report and pays the associated fee, the fee becomes non-refundable. This policy is necessary because we incur significant expenses from third-party companies, such as credit card processing fees, transaction fees, screening fees, and infrastructure costs.

During the final step of filling out the application, there is a terms disclosure on the payment information page stating that the screening fee is non-refundable. By selecting "Pay $55.00," you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and acknowledging the non-refundable fee.

More information about this policy can be found in our Terms of Use in section 15.

💡 It is best practice to contact the landlord about the property to verify it's still available before submitting an application and paying the screening report fee.


FAQs

Q: What If The Landlord Is Not Responding?

A: We understand that some landlords have a large number of applicants, so it can be difficult for them to contact everyone, however, we highly recommend for renters reach out to the landlord prior to applying. This may help to avoid potential issues regarding the screening fee.

Similarly, we also encourage our landlord users to make an effort to keep in contact with their respective applicants, but we are unable to enforce this due to the landlord being ultimately in charge of their own rental process.

If the landlord does not respond to your inquiries in a timely manner or you still cannot reach him, you may have to consider other rental options.

Q: I changed my mind. Can I revoke my application and screening fee?

A: If, for any reason, you decide to revoke your application, you should reach out to the landlord or property manager right away. Depending on the situation, there may be certain deadlines or timelines that you need to follow.

Q: How can I check the status of my application?

A: Once you submit your application, the landlord will receive an email notification and can review it within their landlord portal. If they decide to proceed, you will be notified when a decision has been made. You can also contact the landlord and inquire about the status of your application.

TurboTip: You have the option to message the Landlord directly from your renter portal if you have questions on the status of your Application or need more information before applying.

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