Frequently Asked Questions About NYCHA's Broker Fee Policy

The New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) has a new Broker Fee Policy for a limited time. Under this policy, NYCHA will pay for the services of a real estate agent/broker licensed in the State of New York to locate a new apartment for participants:

1. who have received a voucher for the first time; AND
2. more than 60 days have passed since the voucher was issued.

Transfers and restorations DO NOT qualify for a NYCHA-paid broker fee. To assist with finding a licensed real estate agent/broker, NYCHA has compiled a list of preferred real estate agents/brokers that are interested in working with Section 8 voucher holders.

NYCHA must receive all required forms within 30 days after the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract is executed by NYCHA (and final move-in letter is issued) to qualify for the broker fee. If any required documents are received by NYCHA after 30 days of the executed HAP contract, the broker will not be eligible for payment.

Please note: This limited time broker fee policy and eligibility criteria are subject to change.

The policy is in effect for a limited time.

The policy is only applicable to Section 8 voucher holders that meet the following criteria:

1. first-time voucher holder; AND
2. more than 60 days have passed since the voucher was issued.

This policy is NOT available to Section 8 families transferring from a Section 8 unit, those who were previously on Section 8 and are being restored to the program, or voucher holders who receive housing search assistance from another agency. Please contact hnu@nycha.nyc.hov if you are unsure if a voucher holder is eligible for this program.

NYCHA will pay the requested broker fee directly to the licensed real estate agent/broker’s firm, up to a maximum of 15% of the annualized rent (1.8 times one month’s rent). If the client is eligible to receive HRA broker fee assistance, NYCHA will pay 15% of the annualized rent MINUS the amount paid by HRA. This amount is based on HRA policy, please contact HRA for more information.

Example: If the total contract rent for the unit is $2,000, AND:

1. the client is NOT eligible for HRA assistance, then the MAXIMUM payment from NYCHA is $3,600, (or)
2. the client is eligible for ½ month broker fee payment from HRA, the payment would be $3600-$1000 = $2600, (or)
3. the client is eligible for a full 15% broker fee payment from HRA, the payment from NYCHA would be $3600-$3600 = $0.

• Voucher holder locates an apartment with the assistance of a licensed real estate agent/broker.
• Owner or voucher holder submits the completed rental package to NYCHA’s Leased Housing Department.
• Leased Housing Department reviews and approves rental package.
• Leased Housing Department emails:
  • Pre-move in letter to the voucher holder
  • HAP contract to the owner
• If income-qualified, the voucher holder submits an application to HRA for moving expenses, including ½ month broker fee.
• Owner signs the HAP contract and returns it, along with the executed lease.
• Owner gives voucher holder keys to the rental unit.
• Licensed real estate agent/broker fills out and signs HNU Real Estate Broker Fee Request Form (or HNU Expedited Real Estate Broker Fee Request Form) and has the voucher holder sign.
• Voucher holder signs the HNU Real Estate Broker Fee Request Form (or HNU Expedited Real Estate Broker Fee Request Form) confirming they received the keys.
• Licensed real estate agent/broker submits the completed HNU Real Estate Broker Fee Request Form (or HNU Expedited Real Estate Broker Fee Request Form), along with the documents listed below, to hnu@nycha.nyc.gov:
  • completed HNU Real Estate Broker Fee Request Form;
  • W-9 form (with company information);
  • copy of voided check; and
  • a copy of their real estate agent/broker’s license.
  •  Copy of HRA broker fee checks, or proof HRA request was denied for reasons outside the applicant’s control (over income, etc.)
    • Please note: this is not required when using the HNU Expedited Real Estate Broker Fee Request Form
      • Leased Housing Department will review the request to determine eligibility.
      • If eligible, Leased Housing Department will issue the broker fee payment directly to the licensed real estate agent/broker within 60 days of when it received the request.

Yes. The broker has the option to request an expedited broker fee, which does not require any verification from HRA and can be requested at any time after keys have been issued to the voucher holder (up to 30 days).

The Expedited HNU Real Estate Broker Fee Request form should ONLY be submitted by a broker:

1. if they choose to opt for the expedited NYCHA-paid broker fee and agree to its terms and conditions.
2. who is willing to forego the ½ month HRA payment if HRA rejects the voucher holder’s application for assistance for any reason or if the voucher holder does not complete the HRA application process.</li

No. Staff will verify with the voucher holder that they have received their keys to the rental unit before processing the broker fee payment.

If approved, NYCHA will issue the broker fee payment within 60 days from receipt of the submission of forms. Staff may contact the licensed real estate agent/broker if any further information is needed.

Yes. A copy of the licensed real estate agent/broker’s license must be submitted to hnu@nycha.nyc.gov.

• HNU Real Estate Broker Fee Request Form (059.853) or HNU Expedited Real Estate Broker Fee Request Form (059.853A)
• W-9 form
• Copy of real estate agent/broker’s license
• Copy of voided check (or) letter from the brokerage company’s bank on bank letterhead with account and routing number (or) redacted bank statement.
• One additional contact person with full name, email, and phone number on company letterhead.

Submit all forms related to the NYCHA-paid broker fee via email, to hnu@nycha.nyc.gov. NYCHA must receive all required forms within 30 days after the HAP contract is executed by NYCHA (and final move-in letter is issued) to qualify for the broker fee. If any required documents are received by NYCHA after 30 days of the executed HAP contract, the licensed real estate agent/broker will not be eligible for payment.