Working with a Broker
Many NYC rentals are shown by a licensed real estate broker or salesperson rather than the landlord directly. We don't list or rank individual brokers — verify anyone you work with directly through the state.
Verify a broker's license
Every real estate broker and salesperson in New York must be licensed by the state. Before signing anything or paying a fee, look them up by name or license number to confirm the license is active and check for any disciplinary history.
Look up a licenseVerified 2026-08-20 · NYS Division of Licensing Services (eAccessNY)
A license doesn't guarantee the listing is real.
Confirm the apartment, the landlord or an authorized agent, and the lease terms in person or through a verified official channel before sending any money — a valid license and a legitimate listing are two separate things.
Watch for the “no-fee” bait and switch.
A common tactic: a listing is advertised as no-fee to get you to call. Once you do, you're told that apartment is suddenly unavailable — but the broker offers to find you something else for a fee. If a no-fee listing evaporates the moment you inquire, treat it as a red flag and confirm the original apartment is genuinely gone before agreeing to pay anyone.
Broker fee rules
Who pays a broker fee, how much, and when it's owed are governed by state and city rules that have changed recently.
Read broker fee rules in the Field Manual →Questions
How do I verify a broker's license?
Use New York's official broker/agent license lookup. A licensed broker should be able to provide their license number without hesitation.
Am I required to use a broker?
No. Many apartments are available no-fee or direct from the owner. If you do use a broker, the FARE Act means a broker representing the landlord can't charge you their fee — but you can still choose to hire and pay your own.