Expect Fairness in Apartment Rentals Act to fail

“For many of the apartments that I was looking at, there would be a broker fee, and no broker would be present, or a broker would be, like, extremely rude, and that was happening more times than not,” Ossé said. “I’m not anti-broker. I’m anti people being forced to pay for something they didn’t hire.”

Councilman Ossé’s legislation Intro 0360-2024 passed November 13 removed tenant brokers to make a living. Most landlords do not pay a commission. For those who do, some landlords have been willing to reduce rent or give concession if tenant is not represented by a broker.

Once the legislation becomes law in May 2025, brokers will have less incentive to help tenants securing an apartment, and more landlords who will use alternative advertising method to avoid paying a full commission.