what kind of fees do brokers get for rentals these days?

I believe it's one months rent...although I've known a few to work with the customer on that.

The *standard* rate is still 15%, but negotiation is the name of the game these days. More than ever landlords are paying part/all of the broker's fee. Until the overall market improves this will continue.

The standard in Manhattan is 15% of a year's rent. But in this market everything is negotiable. A month's rent at the minimum. Broker's just don't show one apt to clients. Often show several apts, walk to several bldgs and incur transp and advertising costs out of pocket. And with the market being as it is, renters looking seem to take advantage of the situation, and expect to be shown several apts. And even if the apt is from Streeteasy, getting access to bldgs/apts, finding out info on th erental so no one waste time, is often a task the Broker has to undertake. So negotiating a fee of a month's rent is reasonable.

i called a broker about an apartment a few days ago. they said 15% of first year's rent $2000 non-refundable fee to the condo. basically they were talking about $10,000 before I even put my tooth brush in the bathroom. i thought that was laughable.

Insist that the landlord pay the broker's fee if not already listed that way. In this economy, the landlord will do whatever it takes to get the apt. rented. In good times, the standard is 15% of the 1st YEAR's rent.

I am a renter, but having had to go through the hassle of showing romms to potential roomates, I can surely understand why a busy landlord would hire a broker, ESPECIALLY if the landlord wants to rent multiple units at once. Why do you guys think that would be free?

However, i agree that the landlord should pay in this market.

You should not care! Renters don't pay these days any fees, it's the landlord job!

DO NOT pay a broker's fee on a rental! That is the landlord's job. If the ll won't play ball, look elsewhere. You are in the driver's seat in this market.

I haven't had any trouble getting every broker i've dealt with in the last 3 months to agree to 7.5% or less.

Find a management company who rents their own apartments with no fee. We are out there...