NYC Renters Face Record-High Upfront Costs: Is a Broker Fee Ban the Answer?
New York Post 1 day ago
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NYC Renters Face Record-High Upfront Costs: Is a Broker Fee Ban the Answer?

REAL ESTATE
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Summary:

  • The average upfront cost of a NYC rental apartment with a broker's fee has reached a record-high $12,951.

  • The NYC Council is voting on a bill, the Fairness in Apartment Rentals (FARE) Act, that would shift the burden of broker fees from tenants to landlords.

  • Supporters of the FARE Act argue it will ease financial burdens for renters, while critics fear it will lead to higher rents and fewer available apartments.

  • Over 80% of renters surveyed by StreetEasy believe landlords should pay broker fees.

  • The real estate industry argues the FARE Act will disrupt the market, increase rents, and make finding an apartment more difficult.

NYC Renters Face Record-High Upfront Costs: Is a Broker Fee Ban the Answer?

The average upfront cost for a rental apartment in New York City with a broker's fee has reached a staggering $12,951, according to a new analysis by StreetEasy. This includes the broker's fee, first month's rent, and security deposit, representing a 47% increase over the upfront cost for a 'no fee' rental.

This record high comes as the New York City Council prepares to vote on a bill that would shift the burden of broker fees from tenants to landlords. Supporters of the Fairness in Apartment Rentals (FARE) Act argue it will ease financial burdens for renters, while critics fear it will lead to higher rents and fewer available apartments.

Renters Feel the Pressure

StreetEasy's survey found that over 80% of respondents believe landlords should pay broker's fees, and 76% felt they had no choice but to pay the fee to secure an apartment. Many renters, like Kayla from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, feel they are forced to pay for a service they don't need.

Apartment building in NYC

Potential Impacts of the FARE Act

The real estate industry has strongly opposed the bill, arguing it will disrupt the market, increase rents, and make finding an apartment more difficult. The Real Estate Board of New York points to the city's historically low vacancy rate as evidence that the problem is a lack of housing, not broker fees.

General view of apartment buildings in Morningside Heights

Supporters, including StreetEasy, argue that the bill would benefit not only renters but also brokers, who often work without guaranteed payment. They believe the bill will create greater clarity and negotiation around broker compensation.

The Future of NYC Rentals

The outcome of this vote has significant implications for the future of the NYC rental market. Will the FARE Act ease the financial burden on renters, or will it lead to unintended consequences?

Only time will tell how this legislation will shape the landscape of renting in New York City.

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