Newark Landlords Must Now Pay All Broker Fees

The new city ordinance protects renters by requiring property owners to cover professional broker costs directly.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Apartments

Newark Landlords Must Now Pay All Broker Fees

Live Poll

Do you support prohibiting landlords from charging tenants broker fees in your area?

Newark has officially enacted a new ordinance that prohibits landlords from charging tenants broker fees when leasing a property. Under this rule, property owners are now required to pay these fees themselves and must sign a document certifying their compliance with the policy.

Why it matters

This change shifts the responsibility of paying broker fees entirely to landlords, preventing tenants from incurring these additional costs during the rental process. It establishes a clear financial mandate for local landlords to follow when listing their residential properties.

The new ordinance carries a maximum fine of $1,250 for each violation. Because each improper fee charged to a tenant counts as a separate violation, the total cost for non-compliance can accumulate rapidly for landlords.

The players

Newark

The city government that serves as the local authority responsible for implementing and enforcing this municipal rental ordinance.

The details

The law mandates that landlords must cover all broker fees associated with the leasing of their units. To ensure accountability, property owners are also required to sign a formal document confirming they will not pass these costs on to prospective tenants. Any charge billed to a tenant that violates this requirement is subject to the fine structure outlined by the city.

October 14, 2026: The ordinance officially went into effect.

The Home Front

This ordinance aligns with a growing urban trend of municipal governments regulating rental costs to protect household budgets. It marks a significant shift in local housing regulation by mandating that landlords absorb professional service fees historically passed on to renters.

If you are currently in the process of signing a lease, ensure you are not being charged for broker fees as part of your move-in costs. Request the required compliance document from your landlord to verify they have formally agreed to cover these expenses.

The takeaway

Landlords in Newark are now responsible for all broker fees, and any attempt to charge these to tenants is a violation of city law. Be sure to review your lease documentation carefully and confirm your landlord has signed the required compliance form to avoid paying prohibited costs.