Earn Money on Every
Rental Application
Set your own application fee. When a prospective tenant applies, VerticalRent splits the payment automatically — screening costs come to us, and your fee goes straight to your bank account via Stripe.
How the Payment Split Works
One payment from the applicant. Two destinations. Automatic.
Three Steps to Start Earning
Connect Your Bank
Link your bank account through Stripe Connect in Settings > Payouts. Takes about 5 minutes.
Set Your Application Fee
Go to Settings > Profile and set your application fee amount. This is added on top of VerticalRent's screening costs.
Get Paid Automatically
Every time someone applies, the payment splits instantly. Your share goes directly to your bank account.
Who Benefits from Application Fees?
Application fees compensate you for the real time and effort it takes to evaluate a prospective tenant — reviewing their application, running background checks, verifying references, and preparing the lease.
Independent Landlords
You spend hours screening each applicant. Application fees help offset that time and the cost of maintaining your properties.
Property Managers
Managing multiple units means processing dozens of applications per month. Application fees scale with your portfolio.
Real Estate Agents & Brokers
When you advertise a rental vacancy, application fees provide additional revenue on top of your leasing commission for every applicant you process.
Real-World Examples
See how application fees add up for different landlords.
Single-Family Landlord
Renting out one home. Gets about 3 applications per vacancy.
Small Portfolio (5 Units)
5 rental units with regular turnover. Processes about 10 applications per month.
Real Estate Agent (15 Listings)
Managing 15 rental listings for property owners. High volume of applicants.
Application Fee Rules by State
Every state has different rules about what you can charge for a rental application fee. Click your state to see the specific laws, caps, and requirements that apply to you.
Legal Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rental application fee laws vary by state and locality and are subject to change. VerticalRent (ScreenForge Labs LLC) makes no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of this information. Always consult with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before setting application fees. It is your responsibility as a landlord to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Start Collecting Application Fees Today
Sign up free. Connect your bank account. Set your fee. Get paid on every application — automatically.