When you apply for an apartment in Pittsburgh, most landlords charge an application fee to cover the cost of screening your background, credit, and rental history. Understanding how these fees work, what they cover, and your rights as a renter can help you budget and avoid unnecessary costs.
Typical Application Fee Amounts
Application fees in Pittsburgh currently range from $50 to $75 per adult applicant, though some landlords charge as high as $100 or more depending on the property and the scope of the screening. The fee is typically required from every adult who will be living in the unit. Married couples may be an exception to this rule.
What the Fee Covers
Application fees are intended to cover the actual cost of screening applicants. This typically includes:
- Credit check to verify your credit score and financial history
- Criminal background check to identify any convictions
- Rental and eviction history verification to confirm you paid rent on time and maintained previous properties
- Employment and income verification to confirm you meet the standard income requirement of three times the monthly rent
If the landlord charges a fee but does not actually run a background check on you, you may have grounds to request a refund.
Non-Refundable Nature of Application Fees
Most application fees in Pittsburgh are non-refundable, even if your application is denied. This is because the landlord incurs the cost of screening regardless of the outcome. However, if the fee exceeds the actual cost of the screening or the landlord collects a fee without providing a legitimate screening, you may have a right to a refund.
Before you pay an application fee, ask the landlord whether any part of the fee is refundable if your application is denied.
Proposed Changes to Application Fee Limits
Pennsylvania legislators have introduced bills that would cap application fees and limit what landlords can charge. Two bills are currently under consideration:
Senate Bill 1216 would cap rental application fees at either the actual cost of the background check or $50, whichever is less. The bill would also require landlords to make individualized assessments of an applicant’s criminal history rather than applying blanket exclusions.
House Bill 558 would set a stricter cap of $20 per application and require that the fee be used only for conducting a background check.
Supporters argue that these caps would protect renters from excessive fees that can add up quickly when applying to multiple apartments. Opponents, including some landlords, express concerns that a cap could limit their ability to recover the full cost of thorough screening.
As of mid-2026, neither bill has been enacted, so the current practice remains unchanged.
Additional Fees to Watch For
Beyond the application fee, some landlords in Pittsburgh charge:
- Administrative or occupancy fees. Some properties charge a separate administrative fee in addition to the application fee.
- Cosigner application fees. If you need a cosigner, some landlords charge an additional fee to screen that person.
- Resident benefit packages. Some property management companies charge a monthly fee for services such as renters insurance, credit building, and utility concierge services. This is separate from the application fee.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Current Practice |
|---|---|
| Typical application fee | $50-$75 per adult |
| Refundable? | Generally no |
| What it covers | Credit check, criminal background, rental history, income verification |
| Cosigner fee | Often an additional fee |
| Proposed cap | $20 (HB558) or $50 (SB1216) |
Understanding how application fees work in Pittsburgh helps you budget for your apartment search and avoid unexpected charges. Before you apply, ask the landlord for a clear explanation of what the fee covers and whether any portion is refundable. Keep receipts and documentation in case you need to dispute an improper charge later.