This charge or fee is generally added to the selling price of a vehicle, making it a small fraction of the capitalized cost, which is used to come up with the monthly lease payment. This fee is also known as the “acquisition fee,” “bank fee,” or “administrative fee.” Although it is usually included in the capitalized cost, in some cases, the dealer can ask for it upfront in the form of a cash payment.
The assignment fee is used to cover administrative costs such as the cost associated with obtaining credit reports or checking to make sure that all lease documentation has been accurately completed.
The fee can vary based on leasing companies and vehicle models, but it is generally a few hundred dollars to just under one-thousand dollars. Vehicles that are more expensive typically have higher assignment fees.