The FARE Act, explained in one page

Since June 2025, New York City's FARE Act (Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses) says one simple thing: whoever hires the broker pays the broker. If a landlord lists an apartment through us, the landlord pays our fee. You don't.

What it used to be

For decades, renters in the city paid a broker fee on move-in, often 12 to 15 percent of a year's rent, to a broker they never chose. On a $3,500 apartment that was $5,000 or more before the first month and the deposit. The FARE Act ends that practice for landlord-represented listings.

What "landlord-represented" means

Every listing we publish is landlord-represented. The owner asked us to lease their unit, so the owner is our client and the owner pays us. When you book a viewing through this site, you are not hiring us and you will not be billed by us. If you ever separately hire a broker to search on your behalf, that is a different arrangement and that broker can charge you, but it has to be in writing before they start.

The one document to get

Landlords and brokers must now give you an itemized list of every fee you'll pay before you sign, and it has to match the lease. Ask for it in writing. Application fees are capped at $20 by state law. Deposits are capped at one month. Anything that looks like a "processing," "admin," or "move-in" fee on top of those deserves a question.

What we actually charge you

Nothing. Our fee comes from the owner. Your costs are first month's rent, one month's deposit, and the state-capped application fee, if any. If anyone quotes you more on one of our listings, call the office.