Landlord Can Charge Tenant $50 for Credit Check

Tenant complained of a rent overcharge. Among other things, tenant claimed that landlord charged him $50 for a credit check. The DRA ruled for tenant and ordered a refund. Landlord appealed, claiming that it was entitled to collect a fee for credit checks from prospective tenants. Landlord had collected this fee from tenant before he signed a lease with him. The DHCR ruled for landlord. The Rent Stabilization Code doesn't bar charging the cost of credit checks to potential tenants.

Good Day Apts., Inc.: DHCR Admin. Rev. Dckt. No. ML610035RO (10/25/01) [2-pg. doc.]