Rent Coach: My landlord is threatening to keep my deposit if I smoke inside. Is that allowed?

… Q Im about to rent an apartment but the lease states that if I smoke … that required repair beyond normal wear and tear or unpaid rent  The reason that a landlord cannot simply retain a … approaching $5000 this could be an expensive mistake    Its best for landlords and tenants to agree in the lease as to …

By Mike Akerly |February 27, 2014 - 9:59AM
Rent Coach: Are brokers more willing to negotiate their fees in the winter?

… Q Im planning on moving to a new rental this winter Id really like to avoid paying a broker … any suggestions on how to convince a broker to do it … A Renting in the winter can have its advantages and … you can use to conduct a search such as NakedApartments   StreetEasy  or UrbanEdge   If however youre open to paying a …

By Mike Akerly |December 19, 2013 - 1:29PM
Do I have to pay a broker fee on an apartment I found through the super?

… It seemed shady but we paid it anyway  Is this broker fee legal  If not how would we go about getting our money back … … When a landlord engages a broker to list its property they arent necessarily doing so for the prospective tenants … the tenant file for me Broker I can do that but not for free  Well have to sign a contract that states that if …

By Mike Akerly |November 7, 2013 - 12:44PM