California AB 2493 changed the rules on when a California landlord can charge you a rental application fee, and when that fee has to come back to you. If a letter or an ad cites california ab 2493, the key number to know is 7 days: that is how long a landlord has to refund a fee in the main refund situations under the law.
What California AB 2493 Actually Says
The law itself lives in California Civil Code Section 1950.6. California AB 2493 did not create a new section. Instead, it rewrote Section 1950.6 to add limits on when a screening fee can be charged at all.
Before 2025, many renters paid $30 to $50 over and over for units they never had a real shot at. For example, a landlord could collect ten fees for one apartment and then pick one person. As a result, the other nine paid for nothing. California AB 2493 goes after that exact problem.
Under california ab 2493, the landlord has to pick one of two paths. They can review applications in the order received and give you their written screening criteria with the application. Or they can refund the fee to everyone they do not choose. Here is how the section breaks down.
| Provision | Exact rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Fee cap | $30, adjusted each year for the Consumer Price Index starting January 1, 1998. The fee cannot be more than the landlord’s actual costs. | Civ. Code 1950.6 |
| When a fee is allowed | Only if the landlord uses a compliant screening process at the time they collect the fee | Civ. Code 1950.6 (as amended by AB 2493) |
| Path 1: first-come, first-served | Written criteria given with the application; applications reviewed in the order received; the first qualified applicant is approved | Civ. Code 1950.6 |
| Refund if your application was never considered | Within 7 days | Civ. Code 1950.6 |
| Path 2: refund everyone not selected | Within 7 days of choosing a tenant, or within 30 days of your application if no one is chosen | Civ. Code 1950.6 |
| Copy of your credit report | Given to you within 7 days of the landlord receiving it | Civ. Code 1950.6 |
| No vacancy | No fee if the landlord knows or should know no unit is available soon, unless you agree in writing | Civ. Code 1950.6 |
One note on the cap. The statute says $30 plus yearly inflation adjustments, but it does not print today’s dollar figure. Check the current adjusted amount with the official statute page or a local legal-aid office. Do not rely on a number a landlord just tells you.
Who California AB 2493 Covers (and Who It Does Not)
California AB 2493 covers residential rentals in California where a landlord or their agent charges a screening fee. That includes property managers and leasing agents acting for the owner. In most cases, if you are applying to rent a home or apartment and paying a screening fee, this law applies to you.
The fee is meant to cover real screening costs. Typically, that means pulling your credit report and checking your references and rental history. However, a landlord cannot pad it with extra charges. The fee must match their actual out-of-pocket costs and reasonable time spent, and it cannot go over the cap.
Some California cities have their own rental rules that add more protection. For example, some local ordinances regulate screening practices. If you rent in a large city, ask your local legal-aid office whether a city rule adds to california ab 2493. The state law is the floor, not the ceiling.
What Your Landlord Must Do Under This Law
First, the landlord must choose a compliant screening process before taking your money. Under california ab 2493, that is either first-come, first-served with written criteria or refunds to everyone not picked. If they use first-come, first-served, they must hand you the written criteria with the application form.
Second, the landlord must give you a receipt. The receipt should list their out-of-pocket costs and the time spent screening you. If any of your fee was not used for screening, it typically must be returned to you. For example, if they never ran your credit report, that cost should come back.
Third, the landlord cannot charge a fee for a unit they know is not available. That rule applies unless you agree in writing. As a result, “collect fees now, rent it later” is not allowed under california ab 2493 without your written consent.
What You Can Do When It Is Broken
Start with a short, calm letter or email. Name california ab 2493 and Civil Code Section 1950.6. Say what you paid, when, and which rule was broken. Ask for your refund by a specific date. Keep copies of your receipt, the listing, and every message. In most cases, a clear written request gets results.
If the landlord refuses, you may be able to file in small claims court to get your fee back. Section 1950.6 does not list a set penalty amount, so confirm what you can ask for with your court’s self-help center. You can also report a pattern of violations to your local legal-aid office or city housing office.
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Keep in mind that application fees are usually small dollars. However, a landlord who breaks california ab 2493 may also be breaking fair housing rules. If you think you were turned down because of race, disability, source of income, or family status, contact a local legal-aid office right away. Many legal-aid offices in California help for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does california ab 2493 ban application fees?
No. It limits when a landlord can charge one and when it must be refunded. The fee is still allowed if the landlord follows first-come, first-served with written criteria or refunds everyone not selected.
How much can a landlord charge me for an application in California?
Section 1950.6 caps the fee at $30, adjusted each year for inflation starting January 1, 1998. The statute does not print the current adjusted figure. Confirm today’s cap with the official statute page or a legal-aid office.
I paid a fee, and the landlord rented to someone else. Do I get my money back?
It depends on which path the landlord used under california ab 2493. If they refund all unselected applicants, you should get it back within 7 days of their choice. If they used first-come, first-served and actually reviewed your application, they may keep it, but if they never considered it, the refund is due within 7 days.
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.