Refunding rental application fee

[Kat Rathell]

We have properties in C/C- neighborhoods, so, a lot of prospective tenants come with ‘baggage’ - evictions, criminal records, etc.

As a result, once we receive applications with authorization to conduct background checks, what we’ve done is first run the name/DOB through the local court records, and only run a full background/credit check if we don’t find something worrisome (defaulted debts, multiple/recent evictions, violent crimes, etc.).

It is a lot quicker that way, and also costs applicants less.

However, we are left with the burden of refunding application fees, since in WI you can only use the application fees to conduct background/credit checks, and have to provide tenants with a copy of the results upon request.

Any suggestions on quick and easy ways to refund application fees?

Thanks in advance!

[John Underwood]

Keep the application fee no matter what step of the approval process they fail.

Your time is valuable.