VIDEO: Do You Know Your Rights as an NYC Renter? | StreetEasy Street Smarts
If you’re a renter in New York City, how well do you know your rights? In the first episode of StreetEasy Street Smarts, our trivia quiz show that tests New Yorkers on their real estate knowledge, we make sure NYC renters understand their rights and how to report any violations. And we have some fun along the way!
Play along and put your real estate know-how to the test by watching this video — and be sure to like and subscribe to our channel.
For more information on your rights as an NYC renter, the FARE Act, and other topics covered in the video, visit our Renters’ Rights Hub.
Find Your Next Apartment on StreetEasyVideo Transcript
Okay, she’s making it rain over here. Welcome to “StreetEasy, Street Smarts.” I’m your host, Shacottha Fields, and this is the trivia quiz show that makes sure New Yorkers have the real estate knowledge they need for renting and buying in NYC. We are here at Manhattan’s Vanderbilt Market where we’re gonna be testing New Yorkers on their real estate knowledge, as they have a chance to compete for prizes from our local partners. And a quick note before we get started, we’re just covering the basics here, so you should always contact an attorney for legal advice. All right, y’all ready? Let’s get started.
What is the maximum application fee you can be charged when applying to rent in a rental building? Is it A: $20, B: $50, or C: $500?
C: $500.
I would say B: 50.
I’ma say $200?
The maximum? I feel like it’s B or C.
I think I’m gonna go with $20.
B.
I don’t know, but I feel New York could be 200 dollars.
So it is A, which is surprising. Most people think it’s 500. It’s New York City, right?
$20?
$20 for rental buildings, okay? Okay, doesn’t apply for co-ops or condos. Second question, what is the FARE Act? A law that freezes the rent, a law that establishes guidelines for resolving disputes between tenants and landlords, or C: a law that changes who pays the broker fee?
B.
I feel like it’s B. ‘Cause the dispute between the landlord and the.
Right, it sounds fair.
Right, that sounds fair.
But is that a trick?
B?
It’s actually C.
No kidding.
[Shacottha] Right?
I think it’s who pays the brokerage fee.
You are so informed.
Oh.
So there you go.
Thank you.
Now this is a true or false.
Okay.
Okay, the amount you have to pay as a security deposit is at the discretion of the landlord.
False.
Okay, I just wanted you to say it with, you know, with confidence. False, okay.
False.
True.
You wanna say it’s true?
True.
False.
No, false.
False, you got it right.
Finally, one.
Finally. Okay well your friend here got it right.
We got one and one. Bing, bing, bing.
Okay, so it’s false, right? When renting in a rental building, not a co-op or a condo, the security deposit is capped at one month’s rent.
Oh.
Okay? As of 2024, what was the average upfront cost a New Yorker pays to move into a rental with a broker fee? A: $6000, B: $10,000, C: $13,000.
B.
6,000.
We’re gonna go with B.
Okay, so the correct answer is 13,000 okay?
Oh wow, okay.
And the average upfront cost in 2024 was 12,951 dollars. Now, this includes the broker’s fee, first month’s rent, and the deposit.
Oh, whew, okay.
Okay, last question. Okay, true or false? To report a violation of your rights or if you believe that you’re facing housing discrimination, you can call 311.
True.
I think true.
It sounds like it’d be true.
I think true.
True.
Of course. Woo-hoo! And so there’s your bucks. Look at you, you look so disappointed. Okay. Woo-hoo! Okay, she’s making it rain over here. What a day. We tested New Yorkers, we gave out prizes, we made sure renters know their rights. If you’re looking for more information on New York City real estate, check out our blog linked below, and don’t forget to like and subscribe. For this episode of “StreetEasy, Street Smarts,” I’m Shacottha Fields. We’ll see you next time.