To The Editor,
Over the past few months, this problem has only gotten worse.
There was a time when landlords typically paid the broker fee, or apartments were advertised in local papers and rented directly by the owner. Today, that system has changed. In many cases, the tenant is now the one expected to pay the broker fee. Even worse, when apartments are advertised locally, brokers often step in, contact the owner, or take over the listing and offer to rent it for even more money.
The result is that families searching for a home are being hit with overwhelming upfront costs. On an apartment renting for about $2,500 a month, a tenant can easily end up paying $7,500 at lease signing between the broker fee, first month’s rent, and security deposit — and that is before moving expenses, furniture, and all the other costs that come with starting a new lease.
This situation has to stop.
At a time when families are already struggling financially, trying to marry off children, cover basic expenses, and simply secure a roof over their heads, they should not be forced to carry this kind of unfair burden. While ordinary people are struggling to make ends meet, brokers and landlords continue filling their pockets.
I am not saying that no fee should ever be paid. But there has to be a limit. A reasonable flat fee — perhaps $500 — would be far more fair than these massive charges that place such a heavy strain on hardworking families.
Something needs to change, because housing should not become impossible for the very families who make up our community.
Sincerely,
C. G.
The views expressed in this letter do not necessarily represent those of Monsey Scoop. Have an opinion you’d like to share? Send it to us for review.
Thank you for speaking up! When we rented the home we currently live in, we moved from another house in the neighborhood. We heard the house was available and went directly to the landlord. When we were ready to sign the lease he directed us to the broker he had given the listing to, and we signed the lease through her, paying her $3,000 for doing absolutely nothing. When we asked how she felt comfortable stealing money from us for no work, she said, with a smile, that halacha was on her side because the listing was “hers.” Pure geneiva. But when you’re desperate for a place to live, you don’t have a choice, and it isn’t right.
Being that you seem to think it’s easy money, perhaps you should become a broker.
My moral code would never let me. I work for my income.
I didn’t know that brokers didn’t work and what they did for a living was immoral. Real estate fees for sales were traditionally paid by the sell and rentals were paid by the tenant. This is nothing new. You can choose to rent an apartment that has no broker and the landlord can choose to not use a broker to save his renter the commission and perhaps appeal to a broader market. Bottom line is that nothing in life is free. The brokers make a living by listing and showing properties and landlords own properties that they invest in and take risk by renting them.
Absolutely disgusting as someone who just got married and working all day needed to find an apartment and yes I’m funding my self no support and I finally found an apartment and gosh got slammed with 3 months rent in a day I’m sorry ITS NOT NORMAL and why am I THE TENANT PAYING the broker fee shouldn’t it be the other way the landlord has to pay if the broker found me ??? Can someone please explain
It’s been that way since long before you were born.
Yes as a newlywed I was looking for an apartment finally found one got slammed with 3 months rent I’m not supported so I had to pay everything myself should be the landlord’s paying the fee why the tenants
I agree ..just like when you go to a job recruiter, you don’t pay them. The employer does.