An act relating to residential rental application fees

This bill defines "application fees" for residential rental applications, clarifying that landlords cannot charge prospective tenants for fees related to background checks, credit reports, income verification, criminal history, eviction records, or employment inquiries. It directly affects landlords and property managers in Vermont by specifying what constitutes a prohibited fee under existing laws that ban charging application fees. The definition includes management fees and any charges for reviewing a tenant's financial or legal history as part of the rental application process. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, providing a clear framework for what fees are prohibited when screening rental applicants.