Q: I'm looking to rent at an apartment complex that imposes some oddball fees when tenants move in. In addition to the security deposit, they impose a one-time "initiation fee" (for showing a new tenant around, I guess), a "key fee," and a "lock change" fee. The lease says that I'll have to pay $250 if the landlord consults his attorney about a problem with my tenancy, and another $500 if they have to serve eviction papers. Is all of this legal? --Orville V.

A: This landlord has figured out a way to move some routine business expenses, which most landlords consider to be overhead, to their tenants' accounts. These fees can add up to quite a hefty move-in cost, and in states that don't limit their use, only the market will curb the landlord's greed. If the move-in costs are so high that tenants look elsewhere, the landlord will be forced to lower them in order to attract applicants.  more...