Applying for an Apartment
25 Del. C. § 5514 — an application fee of 10 percent of the rent or $50, whichever is greater, with a receipt
The application fee. A landlord may charge an application fee to check credit, not exceeding the greater of 10 percent of the monthly rent or $50, gives a receipt for the full amount, and keeps records of it for at least 2 years.
Apart from an application fee, a security deposit, a surety bond fee, a pet deposit, or a deposit holding the unit for a set time, a prospective landlord may not ask for or take any assurance money.
A landlord may not refuse to rent, or set different terms, because of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, marital status, familial status, source of income, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military status, or housing status.
A particular application is a question for a licensed Delaware attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- 25 Del. C. § 5514 — Security deposit
- 25 Del. C. § 5310 — “Assurance money” prohibited
- 6 Del. C. § 4603 — Discrimination in sale or rental of housing and other prohibited practices
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Delaware attorney.