Three New York City Laws Every Renter Should Know Before Signing a Lease Including Broker Fees Being Illegal When the Landlord Hired the Broker and One Month Deposit Limits

Renting in New York City is famous for being expensive, and the costs before you even move in can sting as much as the monthly rent. A creator who posts as @gabeeinhorn says there are three laws every NYC renter needs to know, and that knowing them “will save you thousands of dollars.”

His list is short and to the point. Here is what he says each one means, with some plain-English background so you know what to ask about.

One reminder before we begin: housing rules change, and this is general information, not legal advice. Everything below is what the creator says, plus some background. Check the current rules with the city or a tenant attorney before you rely on any of it.

@gabeeinhorn

Number one: the FARE Act

The first law he names is the FARE Act. His summary: “Broker fees are now illegal if the landlord hired the broker.”

In plain terms, he is saying that if the landlord or the landlord’s side is the one who brought in a broker to rent the place, the tenant is not the one who should be paying that broker’s fee. For years, many renters in the city were expected to pay a broker fee, often a large sum, even when they had not hired anyone. The name of the law stands for Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses, and it took effect in 2025. It is still smart to ask exactly who hired the broker, and to ask for the answer in writing.

Number two: one month of security deposit

His second point is blunt: “Your landlord can only charge you one month security deposit. Not two, not three, one.”

That is a big deal for anyone who has been asked to put down several months of rent up front. A security deposit is money held in case of damage or unpaid rent, and a cap helps renters keep more cash on hand during an expensive move. If a landlord asks for more than a month, it is worth pausing and asking why before you pay. Also remember that other upfront costs, such as the first month’s rent, are separate from the deposit.

Number three: good cause eviction

The last law he mentions is good cause eviction. As he puts it, “Your landlord now needs a real legal reason to refuse to renew your lease. They can’t just kick you out because they want to.”

The idea behind a good cause law is to give tenants more security in their homes, so a landlord cannot end a tenancy for no reason at all. Such laws usually list the reasons a landlord may offer, such as not paying rent or violating the lease. It is also worth knowing that laws like this often have exceptions that exclude some buildings or landlords, so whether it covers your apartment depends on the details. The creator is speaking in general terms, so confirm how it applies to your own unit.

He finishes with a simple instruction: “Make sure you know all three of these.”

How to use this before you sign

Knowing a law and using it are different things. Here are some practical steps that can help you in any rental search.

Ask who hired the broker. Before you pay any fee, find out in writing who the broker works for and who is responsible for the fee.
Read the fee list. Go through the lease and any application paperwork line by line. If you see a charge you do not understand, ask what it is for and what law allows it.
Do the math on move-in costs. Add up the first month’s rent, the security deposit and any fees so there are no surprises on signing day.
Get everything in writing. Keep copies of your lease, receipts for every payment and any emails or messages about fees. A paper trail makes it much easier to ask for money back if something was charged in error.
Check the official sources. The city’s consumer and housing agencies and the state’s tenant resources publish guides to current rules. They are free and a good place to confirm what is in force today.
Talk to a tenant attorney or a tenant organization. Many offer free or low-cost help, and they can tell you how the rules apply to your building and your situation.

Do not feel shy about asking

Many renters assume that the fee list in front of them is simply how it works. It never hurts to ask a polite question, such as “Does this charge comply with the current rules?” A reasonable landlord or agent should be able to answer. And if the answer feels slippery, that is useful information too.

The bottom line is that a little homework on a lease can keep a lot of money in your pocket. Take the creator’s three topics as a starting list of questions, confirm the details with an official source, and walk into your next apartment search knowing what to ask.

Willow and Hearth