Free guides · Renters & licensed agents

Two guides, one honest page

Whichever side of the table you’re on: what a broker fee should cost and what your agreement must say, or how our referral program sends you renters who already want to hire someone. Free, no strings — and a person follows up.

Get the renter’s playbook Get the partner kit
free PDFs
2
pages each
5
and no card
$0
business day to a reply
1
Free, no strings

Take the guide that fits your side of the table

Both are written the way we work: plain English, real numbers, and the rules that actually apply in New York. You get the PDF straight away by email, and a person follows up — that’s the whole deal.

The New York renter's broker playbook

Who pays a broker fee now, what your agreement must say, and how to hire an agent for a fee you set.

  • The FARE Act in plain English — and the one case where a renter still pays
  • What a broker actually costs: months, percentages and flat fees, side by side
  • A fee-cap worksheet you fill in before you talk to anyone
  • The eight things a fair representation & fee agreement says
  • 12 questions to ask a broker (and four reasons to walk away)

One guide, a reply from a person, and nothing else. We never sell your details, and there's nothing to pay.

RentLeaks referral partner kit

How the referral program works, what a lead looks like, what it pays, and what you sign.

  • What a lead contains before you spend a minute on it
  • The fee math, with worked numbers at five rent levels
  • How leads are shared out — and why you can't pay for position
  • The referral agreement, section by section
  • A compliance checklist to print and keep with your files

One guide, a reply from a person, and nothing else. We never sell your details, and there's nothing to pay.

Two quick numbers

Work it out before anyone calls you

No email needed for these — they’re the same math as the guides, and as the app.

What a broker fee costs

Under the FARE Act you owe nothing for a home a landlord’s agent listed. These are what it costs when you hire your own broker.

Get the playbook

What the program pays an agent

The referral percentage shown is the current program default (25%), fixed for you by your signed agreement. Nothing is owed unless a lease is signed.

Get the partner kit
The people

10 licensed agents, teams and brokerages

Every partner’s licence is verified with the state before they get a lead. These are the ones taking renters right now — the empty spots are open to agents who join.

Take a spot

Slots fill as partners add a headshot in their portal. Verified licence, real photo, real markets — no stock images.

Questions

Answered plainly

Why would I pay a broker when many listings are no-fee?

You don't have to. Hiring your own broker is a choice: someone who searches, books viewings, knows the buildings and negotiates for you. You agree the fee in writing first, and you owe it only if you sign a lease for a home your broker found or showed you.

How much does it cost?

You set the most you're willing to pay before any broker sees your brief — a number of months' rent, a percentage of the first year's rent, or a flat fee. Brokers can only propose at or below that. There is no charge from RentLeaks.

Can a broker charge me for an apartment they list for the landlord?

No. In New York City the FARE Act puts the landlord's broker fee on the landlord. Your broker must tell you in writing if they also work for a home's landlord, and they won't charge you for that home.

Is the electronic signature binding?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act and New York's Electronic Signatures and Records Act. You consent first, every step is time-stamped, and everyone gets the same signed copy with a tamper check.

Do you pay agents directly?

No — referral fees move between brokerages only. Your brokerage (the broker of record) pays RentLeaks' licensed brokerage, as New York law requires. Salespersons and associate brokers join with their supervising broker's sign-off.

What does it cost to join?

Nothing up front. When a referred tenant signs a lease and your brokerage collects its fee, the brokerage pays RentLeaks the referral percentage in your agreement.

Who sees my details?

Brokers see your brief — area, budget, dates, home type — but not your name, email or phone until you choose one of them. RentLeaks never sells your details.

This page explains how the RentLeaks broker network works; it isn't legal advice. Fee and disclosure rules vary by city and state.

When you’re ready

Hire a broker, or take the leads

Renters: set your fee cap and compare up to three verified brokers. Agents: apply with your licence and start answering leads in your markets.

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