I paid the fee in cash to 'hold the apartment.' Am I out of luck?

No, but documentation is the case. Texts, emails, the listing, a receipt, or a bank withdrawal matching the demand all help, and the intake walks through what you have.

The broker says they represented me, not the landlord. Now what?

Under the Act, a broker who published or marketed the landlord's listing is the landlord's agent regardless of what they claim afterward. The listing itself is usually the answer, and the letter attaches it.

Can I just complain to the City instead?

Yes, and you should know that: DCWP takes FARE Act complaints for free and can pursue violations. The complaint process addresses the violation; this letter directly demands your money, with the private right of action behind it. Many tenants do both.

My lease was signed before June 11, 2025 but the fee was charged after. Covered?

Timing questions like this turn on when the fee was charged and the specific facts; the intake captures the dates and the letter is drafted, or you're told honestly it isn't covered, accordingly.

FARE Act Broker Fee Refund - NYC Attorney Demand Letter

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. A service of Hochman Law PC · New York attorney demand letters & statutory notices

Related letters