Landlord Problem
My girlfriend and I have been renting a 2BR in Prospect Heights for the past 18 months at 1,800/mo. When we moved in we paid first month’s, last month’s, security (1,800) and a brokers fee (1,800) to the super/landlord, (even though our friend who lived in the building found us the place.) Now I have…
My girlfriend and I have been renting a 2BR in Prospect Heights for the past 18 months at 1,800/mo. When we moved in we paid first month’s, last month’s, security (1,800) and a brokers fee (1,800) to the super/landlord, (even though our friend who lived in the building found us the place.)
Now I have to move for a job in another city but my girlfriend is staying and searching for a roommate. Our super/landlord tells us he will have to collect an $800 broker’s fee (half the rent) from the new tenant upon their moving in.
We asked for him to put this in writing and he refused. There is nothing in our lease about adding new names to the lease or the fees they have to pay in order to move in.
The real estate company to whom we send our rent checks each month, and who owns the building, is not at all involved in the day-to-day operations here.
Is our super/landlord’s request for a fresh broker’s fee totally bogus? Any ideas or tips on how we can fight it?
Thanks much!
What is a super/landlord?
Neither the super OR the landlord can collect a fee.
Only a licensed real estate broker or one of his licensed agents can collect a fee.
And of course you don’t need to pay a fee to change roommates. That’s nuts . . .
Just curious, what are your cross streets in Prospect Heights? I have a 2br as well with a lease coming up. Paying slightly more on Underhill and Park Pl. Relatively newly renovated ground floor.
https://appsext7.dos.state.ny.us/nydos/selSearchType.do
The first step anyone should take is to search the person’s name in the city data base to see if they have a real estate broker or sales license. If they dont, then they are legally not entitled to collect a fee.
You know what? I absolutely agree with BHO on this one. Unless you ABSOLUTELY love your apartment, go shopping for a new apartment if you can afford to. But it sounds as though swinging too full rents is a bit much at this time so it may not be an option. But it doesn’t hurt to look.
Sorry, read too fast, replied too fast and missed the distinction between super/LL/management company. Absolutely correspond with management company only and include details re: any “broker’s fees” previously paid and/or currently demanded. There are specific limitations to right to a roommate, but whether stabilized apartment is probably not key to your query.
generally 6 apts to be rent stabilize. not 3.
is East New York youre landlord? Slumlord
First find out if the apartment is rent stabilized. If there is a minimum of 3 apartments in the building it might be.
If it is stabilized it is easy to resolve.
Dude, the super/landlord shafted you on the first 1800. Why do you guys enable to this to happen to you? I hope you’ve learned. Get your girl TFO of there! The rental market is imploding. The broker’s fee system is a massive racket for those who fall for it. A fee is only deserved if it is legal and exclusive.
***Bid half off peak comps***