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panda-attack t1_jabxug5 wrote

A couple things

  1. your application fee was over the legal limit for the state those are capped at $50

  2. Va unfortunately does not have rent caps landlords are only required to keep it at “fair market value” however that is based on the area you live so it isn’t a firm number.

  3. If they aren’t coming in once a month and physically changing the filters themselves that’s another bullshit fee. Most landlord require you to change them yourself.

Whomever you are renting from is fleecing you. I would highly recommend finding a new place.

I would also recommend checking your area for fair market values.

Best of luck to you because what they are trying to do is just ridiculous.

Edit: fixed the price. Shouldn’t do things when I get off work🤦🏻‍♀️

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f3th t1_jacld7m wrote

This Code of Virginia website says the application fee limit is $50. Where are you getting $65?

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Ill_Temperature_4654 OP t1_jac0tp1 wrote

Thanks so much for validating my thoughts. Do you know how to go about finding fair market value? Is there any sort of data base for what’s being rented currently?

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Antique-Zucchini3250 t1_jact58x wrote

We ended up having a couple of properties that we rent. What you describe feels immoral to me, but in landlord discussion groups, they seem to have this obsession with "market value", which is an unfair simplification of things (not to mention fully ignores the supplier's role in tacitly agreeing with other suppliers to inflate the value and then blame "the system" when questioned).

Unless you find someone decent and who willfully chooses to reject all that rhetoric (people on that side like to act like they have no choice over pricing, yet we have been charging well below market value in our rentals and haven't gone bankrupt or had any catastrophes happen in almost a decade), chances are it will be difficult to find a fair price. Because a ton of greedy people gravitate towards renting, since the are almost no protections to the renters.

Your best bet will be small landlords (who usually make a living other way and happen to have a side thing with rentals). Word of mouth is best, in my experience.

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panda-attack t1_jadobj8 wrote

This should help

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Ill_Temperature_4654 OP t1_jadpi13 wrote

Thanks! I’ll look at it later today. Is there a standard way of asking for the application fee to be returned or would that have to go through small claims?

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panda-attack t1_jadthco wrote

I would ask your PM for a break down of what the specificities of the application fee were and consult a lawyer about it.

Something doesn’t add up but I’m not a lawyer so me advising you taking it to small claims on your own would be unwise.

I will say that someone earlier posted a link to VA code and I would dig through that as well

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SlowInvestor t1_jac8ycm wrote

Look up your place on Zillow. Look closely as it usually lists a Rent Zestimate. Also check Rentometer.com

As for the fees they are way high. Who’s the PM?

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chasetwisters t1_jacm03j wrote

Zestimates have become crap. There are three well kept, near identical houses in my neighborhood that range from $170k to $512k in their Zestimate.

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Charlesinrichmond t1_jada78z wrote

it would be great if zillow rent zestimates worked. But they are utter crap.

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augie_wartooth t1_jad194g wrote

The fair market value thing is a useless rule. If someone will pay it, it’s market value. The $65 (or $50, per state law, not sure where $65 comes from) is application fee ONLY, and doesn’t include credit/background/other checks.

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panda-attack t1_jadqnon wrote

They were charged separately for a credit check. Background checks aren’t that expensive.

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augie_wartooth t1_jadrkrj wrote

The law says the landlord can charge any “reasonable” expenses above $50. If the application fee was truly $400, that’s unreasonable, but I suspect they had to pay $75 for application and credit check and $400 to hold the place. My last landlord did this and it’s unfortunately legal. With all those fees it’s unsurprising if it’s not clear what they’re all for.

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panda-attack t1_jadsfm4 wrote

It was posted that they paid $75 per person for credit checks. $200 per person for pet fees, then $400 for the application fee, plus a standard security deposit.

Your security deposit is what secures the apartment, which means assuming there are two humans there is $300 in fees from that application fee that is going to background checks

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soundchkr t1_jad34i9 wrote

This is a good point. You can use Zillow and apartments.con to find out what your market value is based on zip code or even comparing other rentals within blocks of your current address. A 3/1 should NEVER cost $2K especially in lakeside unless somehow it’s 2000 sqft with a big yard and deck. Not to mention a DISHWASHER.

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