What recourse does an NYC real estate broker have if he showed me the apt but I was able to rent direct?
Posted March 1st, 2009 by admin 1 Comment »
Michael B asked:
The broker showed me the apartment, but when we told him we wanted it, he raised his commission from 1 months rent to 15%, saying there was another broker that needed to be paid. That was the first time he mentioned it. I was so angry that I went directly to the building leasing office, and was able to get the apartment that way. Now the broker is calling and demanding the commission, and threatening me with legal action. I never had a written contract with him, and I feel that he violated whatever verbal contract may have existed with a bait and switch — raising the price to me for his services by 80%!
The broker showed me the apartment, but when we told him we wanted it, he raised his commission from 1 months rent to 15%, saying there was another broker that needed to be paid. That was the first time he mentioned it. I was so angry that I went directly to the building leasing office, and was able to get the apartment that way. Now the broker is calling and demanding the commission, and threatening me with legal action. I never had a written contract with him, and I feel that he violated whatever verbal contract may have existed with a bait and switch — raising the price to me for his services by 80%!
