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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 2, 2023 04:10 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Judith L. Schwank and Sen. Daniel Laughlin |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Rental Application Fee Cap |
| Shortly, we plan to introduce a companion to legislation being introduced in the House by Representative MaryLouise Isaacson which will create a cap on rental application fees. Excessive rental application fees can become an inadvertent obstacle to renters. Housing is a basic right and Pennsylvanians should not be deterred from seeking a rental property or apartment due to superfluous application fees. With the average rental application fee being $50, this cost can quickly escalate and create a burden of hundreds of dollars on the applicant. While these fees are designed to aid the landlord in conducting a background check on the applicant, they are often set far higher than the cost of a simple security check. At a time when many are struggling to keep up with the cost of living, Pennsylvania’s renters deserve a fair deal. While there could be some cost associated with a rental application, landlords should not be permitted to utilize the application process as an opportunity for additional revenue. That is why we plan to introduce legislation that will cap rental application fees at $25 per application. In doing so, we can ensure no renter is deterred by excessive fees associated with an application. Creating a cap on rental application fees will help ensure a more equitable housing market for all Pennsylvanian renters. Please join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as SB860