To have a list is in the best interest of both landlord and tenant, since it protects all parties if there is a disagreement about who is responsible for any repairs. The law requires landlords to do a background check of every manager employed, or applying to be employed, by the landlord. A manager is anyone who is hired, or applying to be hired, by a landlord, and would have access to tenants' units when necessary. The following guidelines have been established by law for landlords to follow when hiring a manager. Landlords must pay a fee for each background check.
Some landlords require prospective tenants to pay an application fee.
Many landlords do not. If required, the fee is used to cover the cost of checking the tenant's references. Prospective tenants should ask if an application fee is required and, if so, the amount of the fee. Tenants should also ask if application fees are refundable and request a receipt for payment. This is money paid by the tenant and held by the landlord to pay for any damage, beyond ordinary wear and tear, the tenant might do to the rental unit.