Who hired the broker matters
Since June 11, 2025, a landlord or the landlord's agent cannot impose the landlord's broker fee on a prospective tenant. Listing agents are treated as landlord agents for this purpose.
You can still hire your own representative
A renter may choose to retain and pay a broker who represents the renter. Access to a specific apartment cannot be conditioned on hiring a broker or dual agent.
Ask for itemized fees
Rental advertising must clearly disclose fees the prospective tenant must pay. Before lease signing, the landlord or agent must provide a written, itemized disclosure of required fees.
Keep a record
Save listings, messages, disclosures, receipts, and the identities of the people involved. NYC's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection accepts complaints about potential violations.
Primary sources
Use these official resources to verify current rules and transaction-specific details.