Can a private landlord, Public Housing Authority (PHA), or owner of government-assisted housing charge me a fee for running a background check/ tenant report on me?

It depends on who is running the background check. Neither PHAs nor owners of federal government-assisted housing can charge you any fees for criminal background checks.[1284] The rule is different if you are applying for private housing from a private landlord—private landlords can charge you a fee. See more on PG. 398.[1285]

  1. 1284

    24 C.F.R. §§ 5.903(d)(4); 5.905(b)(5); HUD Occupancy Requirements Of Subsidized Multifamily Housing Programs ¶ 4-7(E)(2) (rev. November 2013); Screening and Eviction for Drug Abuse and Other Criminal Activity—Final Rule, H 2002-22 (HUD) (Oct. 29, 2002) ¶ X, p. 9, ¶ XIII, p. 11; see also 24 C.F.R. § 5.100 (definition of federally assisted housing). ↑

  2. 1285

    Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.6. ↑