Laws ⚖️
- Application Fee – No limit on the amount (no statue).
- Security Deposit Amount – The maximum amount Landlords can request from Tenants is up to one (1) months’ rent.
- Pet Fee – up to 25% of the monthly rent amount. [1]
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Rental Application Fees – No maximum amount therefore Landlords can charge any amount that is reasonable. Any leftover money $25 or higher, the Landlord does not use has to be returned to the Tenant within 15 days of receipt. [1]
Maximum Security Deposit Amount – Two (2) months’ rent. [2]
In Maine, landlords are restricted to charging only one screening fee per applicant. Acceptable fees include:
Note: Only one fee is allowed per application. Charging multiple screening fees is not permitted.
In Portland, Maine, landlords are not allowed to charge any rental application fee whatsoever. This includes background checks, credit reports, or administrative costs. [2]
Before collecting an application or any fee, landlords in Portland must provide applicants with written tenant screening criteria. This ensures transparency in the approval process. [3]
Landlords may only charge a screening fee once every 12 months per applicant. Charging the same tenant again within this timeframe is prohibited.
Landlords are required to provide tenants with copies of all screening reports used in the application process, including credit, background, or eviction history reports.
Landlords in Maine can charge a maximum security deposit equal to two (2) months’ rent. This includes both refundable and non-refundable fees. [4]
Choose your preferred file format below to access the Maine Rental Application Form:
Louisiana **does not limit** application fees—landlords and agents may charge *any* reasonable amount to cover screening (e.g., credit/background checks). These fees are typically **non‑refundable**, unless the landlord didn’t comply with notice requirements. [1][4]
Under La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3258.1, landlords **must** provide written notice *before* collecting any application fee, stating:
This notice may be given electronically (e‑signed OK) and applies to nearly all rental properties. [2][3]
Landlords can require applicants to authorize/pay for credit or background checks. They must also comply with the federal FCRA—meaning they need **written consent**, and if rejecting an applicant based on the report, they must send an **adverse action notice** with report and consumer rights info. [4]
Louisiana law places **no cap** on security deposit amounts. Landlords may also charge **non‑refundable fees**—such as pet or administrative fees—if clearly stated in the lease. Prepaid rent beyond the first month is also permissible. [4]
There’s no statewide ban on application or admin fees, but these fees must be **reasonable**, **disclosed in writing**, and not used to *profit* at applicants’ expense. If fees are excessive or not disclosed properly, tenants may dispute them (e.g., small claims court, Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act).
Kentucky **does not limit** application fees—landlords and agents may charge *any* amount they deem appropriate (e.g., to cover credit or background checks). These fees are typically **non-refundable**. However, applicants must provide **written consent** for background or credit checks under the federal FCRA. [1][2]
Landlords may require applicants to authorize and pay for background or credit screening. Tenants can sometimes choose to provide their own **recent self‑reports**, but the landlord may still **require use of official reports** processed under FCRA-compliant channels. [3]
Under FCRA, if screening reports are used, applicants must be notified of **adverse decisions** and have rights to **dispute inaccuracies**. Written consent is also required. [4][5]
Kentucky law places **no cap** on security deposit amounts. Landlords are also permitted to charge **non‑refundable fees** such as pet or administrative fees. [6]
There’s no explicit ban on “application” or “admin” fees in Kentucky—but Reddit users report abusive practices like excessive non‑refundable fees that are “pocketed even if the applicant isn’t approved.” Tenants have had to **dispute charges** or **charge back** through payment platforms. If you suspect unlawful charges or mishandled deposits, you may bring a claim in **small claims court** to recover **double damages** and fees.