Do you take application fees?

[Jon Klaus]

I typically haven't charged for applications, but I just used an agent who charged $40 per adult.

Then I found this article about a landlord in San Francisco who took 250 applications for one unit at $40 a pop.

http://www.baycitizen.org/columns/scott-james/sfs-tight-rental-market-paying-just-look/

Yeah, SF and Manhattan are unique rental markets that might support someone in the "application" business. What are your thoughts on taking and charging for numerous applications?

More practically, do you charge for applications? Why or why not?

[John Nail]

You can charge the fee that is needed to run credit and background checks. Maybe even throw in a few extra bucks for your trouble.

Having someone pay for this service up front is a good start to weed out unwanted tenants.