A Kansas Rental Application allows landlords to collect relevant information about potential tenants and select reliable renters for a property.
Laws
- Application Fee – Non-refundable
- Fee Limits – No limits (no statute)
- Security Deposit – Maximum payment equal to one month’s rent for unfurnished properties and one and a half months’ rent for furnished properties.
Application Fees
In Kansas, landlords can charge any amount they deem reasonable for application fees, which are used to cover tenant screening costs. There are no state laws capping these charges, and the fees are non-refundable.
Fair Housing Protections
Under Kansas Fair Housing law, it’s illegal to engage in the following acts based on someone’s race, religion, color, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, or ancestry [1] :
- Refusing to sell or rent: Not allowing the sale or rental after a serious offer is made or refusing to negotiate.
- Discrimination in terms: Changing the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental, or in the provision of related services.
- Discriminatory advertising: Publishing any preference or discrimination in sale or rental notices, statements, or adverts.
- False representation of availability: Saying a property isn’t available for inspection, sale, or rental when it actually is.
- Inducement to sell or rent: Trying to persuade someone to sell or rent by suggesting that people of a certain race, etc., are moving into the neighborhood.
- Denial of services: Restricting access to, or membership in, any real estate service or organization based on the aforementioned characteristics.
- Discrimination in occupancy: Treating someone differently in their use or occupancy of real property because of who they associate with.
When it comes to disabilities, illegal acts include:
- Refusing sale, rental, or necessary modifications: Not allowing someone to buy or rent due to their disability or refusing modifications at their expense for full enjoyment of the place.
- Not making reasonable accommodations: Failing to adjust policies, practices, or services needed for equal opportunity.
Security Deposits
- Security deposits are limited to one month’s rent for unfurnished and 1.5 months’ rent for furnished units [2] .
- Deposits should be kept in a separate account for transparency and easy refund.
- Landlords must notify tenants of damage-related deductions from the deposit at lease end.
- They have 14 days to return the remaining deposit.
- After 30 days, tenants might recover the deposit plus additional damages.
Pet Deposits
Landlords can charge an additional deposit for pets up to one and a half months’ rent, but the total deposit cannot exceed two months’ rent. Applicants cannot face additional charges or be denied residence due to using a service animal.
Sample
