To check if your real estate agent is licensed or to report a complaint, visit .dos.ny or call (518) 474-4429.
NBC New York's Rana Novini reports. Mandatory broker fees, an unusual feature of New York City apartment hunting reviled by renters, is now banned under the FARE Act passed by the City Council last month.
Get started in finding a broker Ask friends, co-workers or family. Search for an agent on StreetEasy. Search for apartments that appeal to you and then narrow your list to agents who specialize in the neighborhood and inventory you want.
Reasons to Hire a Broker. A broker's job is to find you a suitable apartment to rent, regardless of what building it's in. They can be beneficial if you want to cast a wide net with someone who intimately knows the NYC rental market.
Do you need a broker to buy an apartment in NYC? Legally, no. You are perfectly within your rights to look for, negotiate, and close an apartment on your own. However, whether it's smarter to work with a New York City broker or do it on your own is a different question.