Brookhaven, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 82 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 82-12
Broker's/agent's responsibility
Operative Text
A. Broker's/agent's responsibility prior to listing. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter and an offense within the meaning of the Penal Law of the State of New York for any broker or agent to list, solicit, advertise, exhibit, show, or otherwise offer for lease, rent or sale, on behalf of the owner any dwelling unit for which a current rental permit has not been issued by the Chief Building Inspector. It shall be the broker's or agent's duty to verify the existence of a valid rental registration before acting on behalf of the owner. B. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for a person, corporation, limited-liability corporation (LLC), company, broker, agent or other entity to cause an advertisement or solicitation for a rental dwelling to be listed, placed, posted or submitted for inclusion on any website, in the mass media, or in printed materials, including flyers, without such person, broker or agent first verifying the existence of a valid rental registration. C. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter to accept a deposit of rent or security, or a commission, in connection with the rental of a rental dwelling unit located within the Town of Brookhaven where no valid rental registration has been issued as required under this chapter. D. In the event that a person convicted of a violation of this section shall have been a real estate broker or salesperson licensed by the State of New York, at the time such violation was committed, the Town Clerk shall transmit a record of such conviction to the Division of Licensing Services of the Department of State and make complaint thereto against such licensee on behalf of the Town of Brookhaven, pursuant to the provisions of Article 12-A of the Real Property Law.
Brookhaven, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 82 § 82-12 establishes that brokers, agents, and any other person or entity involved in marketing or transacting a rental dwelling must confirm that a valid rental registration exists before listing, advertising, showing, or accepting any deposit or commission related to that unit. Acting without that verified registration is treated as an unlawful offense under the chapter and, for licensed real estate professionals, can trigger a report to the New York State Department of State's Division of Licensing Services. The provision applies broadly—covering online listings, print materials, and in-person solicitations alike—and extends to anyone who causes such an advertisement to appear, not only the broker or agent directly involved.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 82-12, property owners in Brookhaven should be aware that brokers and agents they engage are legally required to verify a valid rental registration before taking any marketing or leasing action on the owner's behalf. Compliant operators typically secure their rental permit from the Chief Building Inspector before authorizing any listing, advertisement, or showing, and they provide documentation of that registration to any broker or agent they work with. Keeping registration current and readily available helps ensure that no party in the transaction—owner, broker, or agent—is exposed to a violation under this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 82-12 of Brookhaven's Code of Ordinances gives tenants a basis to question whether a rental unit was properly registered at the time it was advertised or when a deposit was accepted. If a prospective or current tenant discovers that no valid rental registration existed, that fact may be relevant to any dispute arising from the rental transaction, and tenants can inquire with the Town of Brookhaven about a unit's registration status. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services familiar with Brookhaven's rental regulations can help individuals understand what options may be available when this provision appears to have been violated.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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