Applicationb fee required and not refunded if unsuccessful!

As part of the application process they require an 'application fee' to make sure that you are a committed applicant. After having paid this fee and been unsuccessful in getting the property I was informed that it is non-refundable. Nowhere on the documentation they send out does it state this. I have requested this money back from them but they claim it is non-refundable. These people are making money for nothing....stay away from them!