LA rental application checklist (CA)

Civil Code §1950.6 caps the application screening fee at a 1997 base of $30 per applicant, adjusted annually for the Consumer Price Index since 1998 — commonly reported in the mid-$60s for 2025-2026 — and it can never exceed the landlord's actual itemized cost to screen you. You're entitled to an itemized receipt.

Sometimes. Civil Code §1950.1 lets you present a qualifying "reusable tenant screening report," prepared within the last 30 days, to any landlord who chooses to accept it. Accepting a reusable report is voluntary for the landlord, but if they do accept yours, they cannot charge you an access fee or a separate screening fee.

Generally no more than one month's rent, under Civil Code §1950.5(c) as amended by AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024). A narrow exception lets small "mom-and-pop" landlords (2 or fewer properties, 4 or fewer total units, all natural-person owners) collect up to two months' rent.

Possibly. Since January 1, 2025, AB 2493 requires a landlord who charges a screening fee to either process applications first-come-first-served against written criteria, or refund the full fee to applicants they don't select, within 7 days of choosing a tenant (or 30 days of your submission, whichever comes first). Ask which method they use before you pay.

Generally no. Government Code §12955, amended by SB 329 and SB 267, makes housing vouchers a protected "source of income" statewide, including everywhere in Los Angeles. A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you, advertise "no Section 8," or apply a higher income standard to the voucher-paid portion of your rent.