How much can I be charged as an application fee in Florida? The answer is simple in a condo. Provided the condo rules allow for a fee, the maximum charge allowable is $100 per applicant – husband/wife and parent/dependent child are considered one applicant; no charge may be made on renewals with the same lessee. This is covered under Florida Statute Section 718.112(2)(i).
(i)?Transfer fees.—No charge shall be made by the association or any body thereof in connection with the sale, mortgage, lease, sublease, or other transfer of a unit unless the association is required to approve such transfer and a fee for such approval is provided for in the declaration, articles, or bylaws. Any such fee may be preset, but in no event may such fee exceed $100 per applicant other than husband/wife or parent/dependent child, which are considered one applicant. However, if the lease or sublease is a renewal of a lease or sublease with the same lessee or sublessee, no charge shall be made. The foregoing notwithstanding, an association may, if the authority to do so appears in the declaration or bylaws, require that a prospective lessee place a security deposit, in an amount not to exceed the equivalent of 1 month’s rent, into an escrow account maintained by the association. The security deposit shall protect against damages to the common elements or association property. Payment of interest, claims against the deposit, refunds, and disputes under this paragraph shall be handled in the same fashion as provided in part II of chapter 83.
However if it is a Home Owners Association then there is no such statutory language. The association must provide for it in there recorded docs or rules and this may be changed from time to time.
