Cal. Civ. Code § 170-15-1-3
"Initial set-up fee" defined
Operative Text
Sec. 3. "Initial set-up fee" means the fee: (1) a landlord charges a tenant; or (2) an association charges a: (A) member; or (B) co-owner; to establish a new account for a dwelling unit, not to exceed the landlord's or association's actual administrative cost.
Under Indiana regulation 170 IAC 15 § 170-15-1-3, an "initial set-up fee" is defined as a one-time charge imposed when a new account is created for a dwelling unit — whether billed by a landlord to a tenant or by a housing association to a member or co-owner. The regulation caps this fee at the actual administrative cost incurred by the landlord or association, meaning the fee cannot be used as a source of profit. This definition establishes the boundaries of what qualifies as a legitimate set-up fee under the broader regulatory framework.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 170 IAC 15 § 170-15-1-3, landlords and associations that charge an initial set-up fee when opening a new dwelling-unit account generally document their actual administrative costs — such as staff time, software, or processing expenses — to ensure the fee does not exceed that amount. Compliant operators typically maintain records that can demonstrate the fee reflects real costs rather than an arbitrary or revenue-generating charge. Keeping clear cost documentation supports transparency and alignment with the definition established in this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Indiana regulation 170 IAC 15 § 170-15-1-3 establishes that any initial set-up fee a landlord or association charges when creating a new account for a dwelling unit is legally limited to the landlord's or association's actual administrative cost. If a tenant believes a set-up fee exceeds that cost, general enforcement paths include requesting an itemized breakdown of the fee from the landlord, reviewing the lease terms, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance. Understanding this definition can be useful context when reviewing move-in charges or disputing fees that appear disproportionate to actual administrative work.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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