Good question. I rented my first and so far only NYC apartment in 2021 and I did not have to pay a broker fee. Apparently, I had very good timing...
"In 2020, interpreting a tenant protection law passed by the legislature, the New York Department of State issued guidance that prohibited brokers hired by landlords from charging tenants. The Real Estate Board of New York challenged the restriction in a lawsuit, resulting in a state court overturning the ban in 2021."
"In 2020, interpreting a tenant protection law passed by the legislature, the New York Department of State issued guidance that prohibited brokers hired by landlords from charging tenants. The Real Estate Board of New York challenged the restriction in a lawsuit, resulting in a state court overturning the ban in 2021."
https://council.nyc.gov/shaun-abreu/2024/06/11/the-city-what....