Judge Refuses to Block NYC Broker-Fee Law Starting June 11

A federal judge refused to block a New York City law that would require landlords — rather than their tenants — to pay fees for hiring listing brokers, clearing the way for the measure to take effect tomorrow.

US District Judge Ronnie Abrams on Tuesday denied a request by the Real Estate Board of New York, the New York State Association of Realtors and others for a court order halting the new measure while their lawsuit proceeds. The ruling is another setback for the real estate industry’s legal fight against the measure and allows the city to begin enforcing it starting Wednesday.