What type of fee can a landlord not charge for tenant screening?

The correct answer is that a landlord cannot charge advance fees for future lease agreements because such fees would be considered a barrier to prospective tenants. In Oregon, laws are designed to protect tenants from having to pay money for potential future leases before a rental agreement has been established. This practice can lead to financial strain or potential exploitation, as it requires tenants to pay upfront costs without guaranteeing they will secure a lease.

On the other hand, application fees, background investigation fees, and rental history verification fees are all standard practices within the tenant screening process. These fees are allowed as they cover the costs associated with assessing a tenant's suitability for a rental property. Application fees typically compensate the landlord for the processing of a tenant's application, including background checks and credit reports, while rental history verification ensures that the tenant has a reliable rental history. Therefore, while charging for these assessments is permitted, advance fees for leases that have not yet been agreed upon is not allowed in order to maintain fairness in the rental market.