Post-FARE Act Apartment Hunting in NYC for Remote Renters

If you’re apartment hunting in New York City right now, you’ve probably heard of the FARE Act — the new law that bans broker fees for tenants when the broker represents the landlord. It sounds like a win for renters. And in theory, it is.

But in practice? The unintended consequences are making it even harder to trust what you're seeing online — especially if you’re renting remotely.

Here’s how the FARE Act is increasing bait-and-switch tactics from brokers — and why that makes independent services like Gander more important than ever.

Bait-and-Switch: How It Happens

To stay in business, many brokers now rely on bait listings to attract tenant leads. Here’s a typical scenario:

1. You see a beautiful, reasonably priced apartment listed online.
2. You call or message the broker.
3. They say, “That one just rented... but I have a few other similar options.”
4. They steer you to a more expensive or less desirable unit — one they can still charge a fee on.

This is the textbook bait-and-switch, and it’s becoming more common post-FARE Act.

Why Remote Renters Are Especially Vulnerable

If you’re renting from outside the city — whether you’re relocating, moving for grad school, or coming from abroad — it’s even harder to verify:

• If the unit you are signing up for is the same unit you are seeing online
• If the photos match reality
• If the broker is giving you the full story

And once you sign a lease, it’s too late.

That’s where Gander comes in.

Gander: A Trusted, Third-Party Alternative

At Gander, we’ve been helping renters since 2021 by doing in-person video walkthroughs of NYC apartments — especially for people who can’t visit in person themselves.

• We’re not brokers
• We don’t work for landlords
• We don’t get paid by anyone except you — the renter

That means we have no incentive to “sell” you a unit or gloss over flaws. We simply show you the reality: the layout, the lighting, the noise, the smell, the weird sloping floor — the stuff that doesn’t make it into listing photos.

With 100+ tours under our belt, we know what to look for — and what others often won’t show you.

In a Post-FARE Market, Independent Insight Is a Must

The FARE Act was meant to protect renters, but it’s also created more pressure on brokers to push listings they can profit from. If you're apartment hunting in NYC today — especially remotely — you need more than photos and promises. You need a second set of eyes you can trust.

That’s why Gander exists.

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