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Am I Eligible for a Refund of My Application Fee?

No.  We are transparent about our application process and do not process your application unless you have a fair and equitable shot at being approved.  Once we begin to process an application the background check is ordered and no more refunds will be considered.  We submit illegal and unethical chargebacks to a collections agency and they win in court every time and that results in a legal judgment against you.

If we didn't react aggressively to this clearly unethical behavior it would be unfair the many applicants who don't get approved and don't commit fraud as their default response.

Audience: prospective residents who submitted an application but want to know whether the application fee can be refunded if they cancel, change their mind, or decide not to move forward.

Application fees are a standard part of the rental process, and they cover the Because these services are completed immediately often within minutes the fee becomes non-refundable once the application is submitted.

Here’s everything you need to know about why this is the case and what exceptions may apply.

FAQs ❓

Are application fees ever refundable?
In most cases, no. Application fees are non-refundable once processing begins.

Why can’t I get a refund if I change my mind?
Because screening and administrative work start right away, and the fee pays for those services — not for securing the home.

What if my application was denied?
The fee is still non-refundable because screening services were performed.

What if the home I applied for was rented before my application was processed?
You may be eligible for a refund only if no screening work has begun. This is rare because screening typically starts immediately.

What if there was an error in the listing?
You may qualify for a refund if the error made the home materially different from the listing, but this is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Why Application Fees Are Non-Refundable ✔️

Here are the key reasons most management companies, including MoveZen, cannot refund application fees:

1. Screening Costs Are Incurred Immediately 🔍

As soon as you submit your application, the system initiates:

  • Credit checks

  • Criminal background checks

  • Rental verification workflows

  • Identity verification

  • Fraud prevention tools

These services cost money whether the application is approved or not.

2. Administrative Labor Begins Right Away 🏢

Staff begin processing your application as soon as it’s received, including:

  • Verifying employment

  • Confirming income

  • Communicating with previous landlords

  • Reviewing supporting documents

This labor cannot be undone if you later decide not to move forward.

3. The Fee Does Not Reserve the Property

Application fees do not:

  • Hold the home

  • Guarantee approval

  • Lock in your position

They strictly cover processing costs.
This is a common misunderstanding and a frequent reason applicants ask about refunds.

4. Fair Housing Compliance ⚖️

Screening must be conducted consistently and fairly for every applicant.
Refunding fees selectively could create legal inconsistencies.

Rare Situations Where a Refund May Be Considered 🌟

Refund exceptions are uncommon, but certain scenarios may qualify:

✔ The listing contained a major, verifiable error

(example: wrong number of bedrooms)

✔ The home becomes unavailable before screening begins

This only applies if processing has not started which is rare.

✔ A duplicate application was submitted due to a technical error

If it can be verified that two identical applications were processed unintentionally.

✔ Administrative error on our end

If documentation shows an internal mistake occurred before screening began.

In all cases, documentation is required to evaluate the request.

What If You Want to Apply to a Different Home Instead? 🏡

Application fees generally:

  • Cannot be transferred

  • Cannot be reused

  • Cannot be credited to another property

Each application is tied to its specific screening process, which is already completed.

What You Can Do If You Feel Your Situation Qualifies for a Refund ✔️

If you believe you have a legitimate exception:

  1. Review your application confirmation email

  2. Provide any supporting documentation

  3. Reach out promptly to explain the concern

  4. Ask whether screening has begun (it almost always has)

If screening has already started, refund eligibility is very unlikely.