Can't fix stupid

So, uh...

Someone was mad at a Legal Plan Member.

The problem?

They were charging a non-refundable rental application fee.

And the *wannabe* Tenant SAID it was illegal.

So our member wanted to know:

Is this dude off his rocker?!?

Yep, he's wrong.

Non-refundable application fees are legal in the Land of Lincoln. 

In fact, smart Landlords use them all the time.

It weeds out the tire-kickers.

And helps you find serious Tenants.

Here's the trick:

You can't charge whatever the heck you want.

The fee must be "reasonable" (whatever that means).

Our best guess:

Cover the cost of back ground checks, credit checks, and maybe a few bucks for your hassle.

Any more than that and you're asking to get sued.

By Landlord Legal

Whoop whoop - that's issue #61 of The Brief.

We hear all kinda crazy stuff that Tenants want to be think are illegal.  If you're ever not sure, phone a friend.