NEW YORK (PIX11) — Wednesday marks a new day for renters in New York City as they no longer can be forced to pay a fee when a broker lists an apartment on behalf of a landlord.
The Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act takes effect Wednesday and makes it so that tenants can no longer be charged a broker fee if the agent was hired by the building’s landlord. Additionally, landlords or their agents must disclose all fees that the tenant must pay in their apartment listings and rental agreements.
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Following the implementation of the FARE Act, NYC Councilmember Chi Ossé who penned the bill, is advising residents on what to do if a landlord or agent still tries to get a tenant to pay a broker fee.
How do I know if I’m being illegally charged a broker fee?
If you didn’t hire the broker, they cannot charge you a fee. Brokers and landlords must work out the charge between themselves starting June 11. Additionally, landlords and brokers cannot charge for a “tenant fee.”
If a landlord or an agent tries to charge a fee for a broker the renter did not hire, they can be reported to the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)…