The charge is for obtaining information while processing the rental application.
A landlord may require only one applicant screening charge from the applicant within a 60-day period across units owned or managed by that landlord.
The charge may not exceed the landlord’s average actual screening cost or the customary amount for comparable screening.
ORS 90.295 requires written screening/admission criteria and specified written information before the screening charge is accepted.
Separate the screening charge from other move-in payments
ORS 90.295 applies to the applicant screening charge used to obtain screening information. A tenancy deposit under ORS 90.297, security deposit, ordinary ORS 90.302 fee or later rent charge is a different payment category. Keep each amount and receipt separate.
The charge is tied to actual screening work
The amount may not exceed the landlord’s average actual cost of screening applicants or the customary amount charged by screening companies or consumer reporting agencies for a comparable level of screening. Oregon also requires a receipt for the applicant screening charge.
When a tenant screening company or consumer credit reporting agency performs the screening for the landlord, the current statute requires prompt confirmation of the screening, including a copy of a receipt from that company or agency.
One landlord cannot repeatedly charge the same applicant within 60 days
ORS 90.295 limits the applicant to a single applicant screening charge within any 60-day period, regardless of how many rental units owned or managed by that landlord the applicant applies to rent. Preserve prior application receipts when applying to another unit managed by the same landlord.
Written screening criteria and process information come before payment
Before requiring the screening charge, the landlord must adopt written screening or admission criteria and give the applicant the written information required by ORS 90.295, including the screening process and charge information. Save the version shown before payment rather than a later webpage revision.
Some no-screening situations require a refund
The statute requires a refund when the landlord fills the vacant unit before screening the applicant or has not conducted or ordered screening before the applicant withdraws the application in writing. The remedy section also addresses failure to refund an applicant screening charge within 30 days when no screening occurs.
Do not treat rejection itself as an automatic refund trigger: ORS 90.295 separately states that an applicant may not recover the screening charge merely because the applicant refuses an offer to rent.
Documents to preserve
- Listing and application page.
- Written screening or admission criteria.
- Written screening-process notice shown before payment.
- Applicant screening charge receipt.
- Screening-company or consumer-reporting-agency confirmation/receipt when used.
- Application and submission date.
- Written withdrawal if applicable.
- Denial, approval or other decision notice.
- Refund record if screening did not occur.
Compare this issue across states
Official sources
Current Oregon rule limiting applicant screening charges to screening costs, restricting repeat charges within 60 days, requiring written screening disclosures and receipts, and providing refund/remedy rules when screening does not occur or statutory requirements are not followed.
Oregon Legislative AssemblyORS 90.140 — Types of payments landlord may require or accept ↗Current Oregon statute listing recognized payment categories including screening charges, deposits, fees under ORS 90.302, rent, prepaid rent, utility/service charges, late fees and damages.