Rental Application in New Mexico

A rental application that collects what landlords commonly ask for. Follow your state's limits on application fees and fair-housing rules: ask every applicant the same questions.

What New Mexico law says

Application / screening fees	Screening fees are capped at $50, to cover a credit report, reference check, or screening service. The owner must: give written or digital notice of the fee and get the applicant's written agreement to pay; not charge a fee when the owner knows or should know the unit is not available; give a receipt; hold the card or not deposit cash or checks until all earlier applicants have been screened and rejected, or offered the unit and declined; and charge no other application-processing fees. The fee must be returned within 30 days if an earlier applicant takes the unit or if the owner never runs the credit report, reference check, or screening, or never processes the application. Returns go by certified mail, by destroying the check on request, or by making the money available for pickup. Only one screening fee may be charged to the same applicant within 90 days for properties under the same ownership, and the owner must give the applicant copies of any reports used. Penalty for an unauthorized screening fee: $250 plus return of all fees. The nmlegis status page shows SB 267 as 'Chaptered'. Source: Laws 2025, ch. 122 (SB 267), §§ 3, 4, 7 (new UORRA sections; amended NMSA § 47-8-48(B))
Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income	No statewide protection. 2025 HB 339, which would have added 'source of income' as a protected category for housing under the Human Rights Act, died. A similar 2024 bill (HB 25) was reported as failing in committee. Source: NMSA 1978, § 28-1-7 (no source-of-income category); 2025 HB 339 (died)

Application / screening fees

Screening fees are capped at $50, to cover a credit report, reference check, or screening service. The owner must: give written or digital notice of the fee and get the applicant's written agreement to pay; not charge a fee when the owner knows or should know the unit is not available; give a receipt; hold the card or not deposit cash or checks until all earlier applicants have been screened and rejected, or offered the unit and declined; and charge no other application-processing fees. The fee must be returned within 30 days if an earlier applicant takes the unit or if the owner never runs the credit report, reference check, or screening, or never processes the application. Returns go by certified mail, by destroying the check on request, or by making the money available for pickup. Only one screening fee may be charged to the same applicant within 90 days for properties under the same ownership, and the owner must give the applicant copies of any reports used. Penalty for an unauthorized screening fee: $250 plus return of all fees.

The nmlegis status page shows SB 267 as 'Chaptered'.

Source: Laws 2025, ch. 122 (SB 267), §§ 3, 4, 7 (new UORRA sections; amended NMSA § 47-8-48(B))

Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income

No statewide protection. 2025 HB 339, which would have added 'source of income' as a protected category for housing under the Human Rights Act, died. A similar 2024 bill (HB 25) was reported as failing in committee.

Source: NMSA 1978, § 28-1-7 (no source-of-income category); 2025 HB 339 (died)

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RENTAL APPLICATION — [rental address]

Applicant name: [applicant name] Phone: [phone] Email: [email]

Current address: [current address] How long: [time at current address] Current rent: $[current rent]

Current landlord: [current landlord name and phone]

Previous address and landlord: [previous address and landlord]

Employer: [employer] Position: [position] Monthly income: $[monthly income] Other income (including housing vouchers or benefits): [other income]

Other adults who will live in the unit: [other adult occupants] Number of minors: [number of minors]

Pets or assistance animals: [pets] Vehicles: [vehicles]

Application fee: $[application fee] (see your state's rule above). Screening company used: [screening company name and contact]

I authorize the landlord to verify this information and obtain a tenant screening or credit report. Signature: ____________ Date: [date signed]

Rental Application for other states · New Mexico tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.