Bad Broker Behavior - Is this par for the course?

Also, on top of all this other nonsense, she requested that I pay everything (rent, fees, etc., for all three months) upfront - what a joke!

You can/should call 311 to report misleading advertising by a real estate broker:

http://www.nyc.gov/apps/311/allServices.htm?requestType=service&levelOneId=B0AB8D90-078A-11DE-AC9C-EF5AFBC474DE&levelTwoId=B0AB8D90-078A-11DE-AC9C-EF5AFBC474DE-3&levelThreeId=B0AB8D90-078A-11DE-AC9C-EF5AFBC474DE-3-9&serviceName=False+Advertising+Complaint&finalSubLevel=3&intentId=E9E66310-8137-11DE-8E9F-96DAE110FEB8

The no-fee switcheroo is definitely suspect. But 'utilities included' generally does not cover cable. It's usually just gas and electric. A security deposit is the norm for rentals--did you expect not to have to pay one?

"A security deposit is the norm for rentals--did you expect not to have to pay one?"

One month security for a 90-day stay, in a small studio apt that has exactly 2 pieces of furniture, a bed and a table? C'mon, man - that's highway robbery.

"You can/should call 311 to report misleading advertising by a real estate broker"

I'm not out to ruin the person's career or reputation (otherwise, I would have given her name), I'm just asking whether it's the norm for brokers to try to trick ppl like this? Do they really think these things will work???

IMO security for a 3-month rental should be 1/4 of a month's rent; security for 6 months should be 1/2 month's rent; and for a year or greater, 1 month's rent.

Of course you would pay a deposit even for a short-term rental. One month is standard. That is the landlord's way of protecting himself in case you damage the property. You will get the deposit back at the end of the lease, assuming you haven't trashed the place.

Also, the owner was storing his belongings in the closet (which was taped shut like a crime scene), so I would have had no closet or storage space. And they wanted me to pay UP FRONT for this great deal!

Really the only valid complaint here is that the broker appears to have done a bait-n-switch with regards to the fee. Advertising as no-fee and then saying 'oops, error in the listing' is crummy and worth reporting, if even just to the brokerage he/she works for.

The rest of your complaints--the deposit and the cable issue--are not legit, sorry.

"The rest of your complaints--the deposit and the cable issue--are not legit, sorry"

So lying about the application fee is not legit either?

BTW, I was willing to overlook the cable thing and pay a smaller deposit, however it was everything added together that pissed me off, not any 1 thing individually.

"Also, the owner was storing his belongings in the closet (which was taped shut like a crime scene), so I would have had no closet or storage space. And they wanted me to pay UP FRONT for this great deal!"

Strange but not unheard of in a furnished rental. I'd just move on. Place sounds like it's not worth a second thought.

>>So lying about the application fee is not legit either?<<

That is odd--unless part of that extra charge was for a credit check, which is not included in the app fee. Though that shouldn't cost $100--it's usually more like $35 per person.

"I'd just move on. Place sounds like it's not worth a second thought."

I did - I already found another place. I was just amazed at the broker's behavior, that's all. I don't know how you run a business treating ppl (who you expect to pay you a broker fee) like they are morons you are trying to trick and subject to hardball tactics.

She ALSO claimed that there were "other offers" on the place when it had been listed for ONE WHOLE DAY (and I am highly confident that I was the only person she had shown the place to at the time I made my offer).

"That is odd--unless part of that extra charge was for a credit check, which is not included in the app fee"

Actually, she claimed should would cut her broker fee by $100 b/c of the cable thing and then she upped said the application fee was $175, apparently thinking I was too stupid to read the application and see what the correct fee was.

I don't mind you not giving her name, but could you let us know what company she worked for so I can steer clear in the future?

This broker clearly didnt know what she was doing, didnt have all the information. However, it still sounds like a great deal, a furnished short term studio in Fidi for 2k!! that is a steal, I will take it now...what is the brokers number?..Paying the term upfront is standard in short term, paying a broker one month is nothing compared to paying for a hotel for one month....

"However, it still sounds like a great deal, a furnished short term studio in Fidi for 2k!!"

If you include the broker fee, application fee, cable bill and rent, it amounts to about $2500/month (not including security deposit, if you end up getting that back), not $2K (as I said, the "no fee" advertisement in the listing was a "mistake", according to the broker).

I ended up subletting a nice 1-BR in the W Village directly from the owner (via a Craigslist add) in a co-op building for $2100/month, 1/2 month security and no fee (obviously). Way better deal IMO. [And I actually trust the owner to be honest in dealing with me, as opposed to the case with the broker's listing (I have no clue who the owner is).]

"but could you let us know what company she worked for so I can steer clear in the future?"

No, b/c that would out her, which I don't want to do. It's a small firm.

that actually is a better deal and better location. Although im sure its a walk up as opposed to the luxury building in fidi?

2500 all in is still good imo, for the furnished short term market...

"Although im sure its a walk up as opposed to the luxury building in fidi?"

Correct, but personally I couldn't care less about building amenities - I just need a place to sleep (I work long hours and will be travelling a lot on weekends). If you want a luxury bldg, then yes it's prob worth $2500/month for a studio.

Just let us know who she is, I want that studio, and the SE posters are curious. Besides no one really reads these anyway except the same 10-20 posters...

bksfinest>> This broker clearly didnt know what she was doing, didnt have all the information.

I would argue thet she did have all the information and very well knew what she was doing

>Is this really how brokers act?

Sadly, yes. All too often.

>Do they really think ppl are so stupid that they'll fall for this garbage????

Sadly, yes. And even more sadly they are sometimes also correct, or they'd stop lying. Glad you saw through the nonsense and found something better.

did you say there was a broker involved?

the rest is redundant

Sorry you had a bad experience. Check out suitey.com to be matched with a be matched with a great broker - I guarantee a good experience.

BSexposer
about 21 hours ago
ignore this person
report abuse Also, on top of all this other nonsense, she requested that I pay everything (rent, fees, etc., for all three months) upfront - what a joke!

This is par for the course for a short term rental. Aside from your complaint about the fee vs no fee advertising you are showing your lack of understanding of the market. Surprised about a security deposit on a rental? You'll get the money back.

yes.

So horrible, so so horrible. In New York you should expect better. Smooth sailing is the way we weak people like living here in Manhattan.

I would report the broker to the NYS Dept of State. I am always bemused when folks who get screwed would rather protect the person who is knowingly doing the screwing rather than the rest of us out there who may encounter the same behavior if it goes unreported.

It is true that there is really no standard on short-term rentals as far as security deposit and paying in advance. It's also common for cable to be an "extra".

Intentionally listing a fee listing as a no-fee, is definitely not ok. If you found the listing on SE and they listed a it to support@streeteasy.com. We collect stats on reports of false information. When we find repeat offenders they get warned and if that doesn't help, they get suspended from SE. Obviously that doesn't keep all of the bad listings out, but in addition to the other checks, it often helps to identify repeat offenders.