Am I required to help a broker in selling an apartment that I’m renting?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Am I required to help a broker in selling an apartment that I’m renting?

I am living in an apartment that I’m renting on a month-to-month basis. The owner decided to sell it and hired a real estate broker who is asking me if she can have an open house every weekend. The problem I have with this is not just the burden of having strangers in my home but the idea that I’ll probably have to move out once it’s sold, since most of the people who visited so far seem to be looking for a new home to buy and move into. There seems to be no benefit to me to help the real estate broker with this. Do I have to let the broker do the open houses? Can I just say no, and if I do, can that potentially get me in trouble?

Asked on June 16, 2017 under Real Estate Law, New York

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 6 years ago | Contributor

You don't have to affirmatively help show the apartment  (i.e. discuss it, describe it, show people around, etc.), BUT you do have to let them do the open houses or other showings, so long as they provide at least 24-hour notice of the showing. The law is clear that the property owner has the right to show his apartment for rent (or sale)--it is his property, after all. The only restriction, you must get notice as discussed. You may choose to be present for the showing, to keep an eye on things; or to leave during the showing.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption