---

Posted by William Rowen, Met Council on February 12, 1998 at 01:30:28:

In Reply to: Lease renewal through broker posted by Robbie on February 10, 1998 at 10:14:05:

: Dear TenantNet:
: I live in a rent stabilized building and my current lease is up for renewal
: It's a three bedroom apartment. My name is on the original lease and my two
: other roommates are subletting from the original lessees. Our Management
: company has informed us that while it's okay to have a new lease drawn up that
: would put my two new roomates on the lease, they're insisting we have to
: go through the original broker who found us the apartment. The broker
: mentioned costs in the region of $300-$400 just to have a new lease done up.
: While I appreciate our management company has to run a credit check on my
: new roomates and process other relevant paperwork, $300-$400 seems
: exhorbitant. Also can can the management company force us to go through a
: broker and add on an additional commission fee given that my name is already
: on the lease?

: Thank you in advance for any advice you may have.

Why don't you renew the lease by yourself (has it expired? if it hasn't, don't renew.), and strike a separate, written agreement with the roommates that will protect you with a commitment from them.

The interposing of a broker is probably a scam and an unlawful attempt to squeeze an overcharge out of you. However, if you go for it, you will probably have a hard time recovering the money.

Isn't the landlord also asking you for a vacancy allowance? to renew with new tenants. I thought that was standard. My advice?: RESIST!

Follow Ups:

---

Note: Posting is disabled in all archives
Post a Followup

Name    : 
E-Mail  : 
Subject : 

Comments:
: : Dear TenantNet:
: : I live in a rent stabilized building and my current lease is up for renewal
: : It's a three bedroom apartment. My name is on the original lease and my two
: : other roommates are subletting from the original lessees. Our Management 
: : company has informed us that while it's okay to have a new lease drawn up that 
: : would put my two new roomates on the lease, they're insisting we have to 
: : go through the original broker who found us the apartment. The broker
: : mentioned costs in the region of $300-$400 just to have a new lease done up.
: : While I appreciate our management company has to run a credit check on my
: : new roomates and process other relevant paperwork, $300-$400 seems 
: : exhorbitant. Also can can the management company force us to go through a 
: : broker and add on an additional commission fee given that my name is already
: : on the lease?

: : Thank you in advance for any advice you may have.

: Why don't you renew the lease by yourself (has it expired? if it hasn't, don't renew.), and strike a separate, written agreement with the roommates that will protect you with a commitment from them. 

: The interposing of a broker is probably a scam and an unlawful attempt to squeeze an overcharge out of you. However, if you go for it, you will probably have a hard time recovering the money.

: Isn't the landlord also asking you for a vacancy allowance? to renew with new tenants. I thought that was standard. My advice?: RESIST!


Optional Link URL:  
Link Title:         
Optional Image URL: 

---