Application Fees, Holding Deposits & Approval Times
Between application fees, holding deposits, and security deposits, you can spend real money before you ever get keys. Here is what each fee is, what is normal in Missouri, and how to avoid paying for applications that will not be approved.
Application fees
- Missouri has no legal cap on application fees — landlords can charge what they want, and fees are almost always non-refundable.
- Normal range: $25–$75 per adult applicant. Most fall between $40 and $60. Be skeptical of anything higher unless the property explains exactly what it covers.
- The fee typically pays for screening: credit, eviction history, criminal background, and income verification.
Do not pay blind. Before paying, ask what the screening criteria are — minimum income, credit expectations, how they treat past evictions. If you will not pass, the honest answer saves you the fee. Any property worth renting from will tell you. (This is exactly why our featured apartments publish their criteria up front.)
Holding deposits
A holding deposit (or holding fee) takes the unit off the market while your application processes. Missouri has no specific statute on these, so the paper you sign controls everything. Typical range is $100–$500. Before paying, get the answers to three questions in writing:
- If I am denied, is the holding deposit refunded? (It usually should be.)
- If I withdraw, do I forfeit it? (Usually yes.)
- If I am approved, does it apply toward my security deposit or first month? (It should.)
Security deposits: the Missouri rules
- Capped at two months' rent — a landlord cannot legally require more.
- Within 30 days of moving out, the landlord must return your deposit or send an itemized list of deductions.
- Wrongfully withheld deposits can cost the landlord up to twice the amount withheld. Details in our Missouri tenant rights guide.
How long does approval take?
| Situation | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Complete application, online screening | 24–48 hours |
| Standard processing | 3–5 business days |
| Extra verification needed (self-employment, unresponsive previous landlord, thin or no credit file) | 5–10 business days |
The fastest thing you control is completeness: pay stubs, ID, landlord references, all submitted with the application. Our documents guide and checklist tool cover exactly what to have ready. If a week passes with no word, call — applications do fall through cracks, and polite persistence works.
Add it up before you apply
Application fee + holding deposit + security deposit + first month's rent is the real cost of moving in. Run the numbers with our move-in cost calculator so nothing surprises you on signing day.