No—your own in-person viewing is not unskippable, but verifying the exact apartment, the person offering it and the written costs should be.

How To Avoid a Rental Scam; published June 2026

If you can, look at the property before you sign or pay. Visit the property in person, have a friend or someone you know visit it, or watch a video or virtual tour. But know that that’s still not a guarantee that a property is real or available for rent.

Broker-fee prohibitions, tenant choice, and fee disclosures

The Law prohibits a landlord’s agent from charging fees to prospective tenants. This includes listing agents. No one can condition the rental of an apartment on tenants hiring a broker, including a dual agent. The Law does not prohibit tenants from choosing to hire their own broker and pay broker fees. In addition, landlords or their agents must give tenants an itemized written disclosure of all fees they must pay the landlord, or any person at the direction of the landlord, to rent an apartment. The fees must include a written description, and the tenant must sign the itemized disclosure before signing a lease.

Rent Security Deposits

At the beginning of their tenancy, all tenants can be required to give their landlord a security deposit, but it is limited to no more than one month’s rent. The one-month limit means that a landlord cannot ask for last month’s rent and a security deposit. For tenants in units that are not rent stabilized or rent controlled, the landlord must return the security deposit within 14 days of the tenant moving out.

§ 238-a(1)(b)

A landlord, lessor, sub-lessor or grantor may charge a fee or fees to reimburse costs associated with conducting a background check and credit check, provided the cumulative fee or fees for such checks is no more than the actual cost of the background check and credit check or twenty dollars, whichever is less, and the landlord, lessor, sub-lessor or grantor shall waive the fee or fees if the potential tenant provides a copy of a background check or credit check conducted within the past thirty days. The landlord, lessor, sub-lessor or grantor may not collect the fee or fees unless the landlord, lessor, sub-lessor or grantor provides the potential tenant with a copy of the background check or credit check and the receipt or invoice from the entity conducting the background check or credit check.

Financial Qualifications

Housing providers have a right to set financial and credit qualifications, a process that provides some assurance that the applicant will be a good tenant. Qualifications and inquiries must be applied equally to all applicants and must not be influenced by race, national origin, or other protected factors.

You cannot be denied housing because of your immigration status!

Short-Term Rental Rules; Registration Exceptions

Hosts - both owners and tenants - cannot rent out an entire apartment or home to visitors for fewer than 30 days, even if the host owns or lives in the building. Short-term rental registration is not required for: Short-term rental listings for units in “Class B” multiple dwellings Rentals for 30 consecutive days or more

Certificate of Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) states a legal use and/or type of permitted occupancy of a building. New buildings must have a CO, and existing buildings must have a current or amended CO when there is a change in use, egress or type of occupancy. No one may legally occupy a building until the Department has issued a CO or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO).

Building information available through HPD Online

Use HPD Online to find information about your building, which may include: Complaints and Violations Property Registration Charges and Litigation Block and Lot Information Vacate Orders

If Offered a Lease, Read it Carefully

Does the lease mention all the amenities agreed upon? Be sure to write down any oral agreements. Check to see if utilities are billed separately or are included in your monthly rent.

§ 7-108(1-a)(a)–(c)

No deposit or advance shall exceed the amount of one month's rent, unless the deposit or advance is for a seasonal use dwelling unit as provided for in subdivisions four and five of this section, or unless the deposit or advance is for an owner-occupied cooperative apartment as provided for in subdivision six of this section. After initial lease signing but before the tenant begins occupancy, the landlord shall offer the tenant the opportunity to inspect the premises with the landlord or the landlord's agent to determine the condition of the property. If the tenant requests such inspection, the parties shall execute a written agreement before the tenant begins occupancy of the unit attesting to the condition of the property and specifically noting any existing defects or damages. The landlord may not retain any amount of the deposit for costs relating to ordinary wear and tear of occupancy or damage caused by a prior tenant.

Tips To Prevent A Costly Mistake

Request to see a copy of the Department of State-issued photo license and arrange an in-person or video meeting to compare the ID. Be suspicious of untraceable payment methods. Instead, pay by check or credit card and get receipts for any payments.