Parlor Fee
A parlor fee is a charge billed to members who live outside the chapter house to cover their share of house upkeep, meals, and common spaces.
Updated September 7, 2026A parlor fee (sometimes called an out-of-house fee or house fee) is a charge billed to members who do not live in the chapter house. It covers their share of the facility's shared costs – common-area upkeep, utilities, meals, and events held at the house – since out-of-house members still use those spaces. Live-in members typically pay rent and a meal plan instead, so the parlor fee keeps facility costs fair across the whole chapter. Parlor fees are usually billed each semester alongside chapter dues.