The FARE Act, explained for renters

NYC DCWP describes the FARE Act as preventing brokers who represent landlords — including listing agents acting with the landlord’s permission — from charging their broker fee to tenants. The idea is simple: the party that hires the broker is the party that pays the broker.

If you choose to hire your own tenant broker to help with your search, you may still pay that broker. The distinction that matters is representation, not the word “broker” on its own.

If a broker fee appears after you apply, pause before paying and ask for the written basis for the fee. Keep screenshots, emails, receipts, and the original listing. For NYC broker-fee disputes, DCWP publishes a complaint process and asks renters to provide evidence.