Pinpointe’s Pre-Showing Acknowledgement: The Transparency Agreement Before Your NYC Apartment Tour
Introducing Pinpointe Group’s Pre-Showing Acknowledgement
At Pinpointe Group, we believe every renter deserves zero-surprise showings. That’s why we created the Pre-Showing Acknowledgement—a short, plain-English form you sign before we unlock the door.
This agreement applies only to apartments where the landlord has already hired Pinpointe to market the unit. In practice, that means you spotted the listing online (StreetEasy, RentHop, etc.) and contacted us to schedule a tour. For those listings, the landlord pays our fee and the acknowledgement documents it.
It does three things, in writing:
- Confirms the landlord pays our fee.
- Covers one specific address only.
- States you’ll submit any application for that address through the Pinpointe broker who showed it.
No form, no tour. Our brokers will not conduct a showing until the signed acknowledgement is on file, beacuse transparency starts before we meet at the front door. You’ll find a downloadable copy at the end of this post.
Why We Require It—And How It Helps You
The FARE Act shifted broker fees to the hiring party (in this case, the landlord). Great news, but it left a paperwork gap. Brokers now need a clear paper trail proving the landlord, not the renter, is covering the commission. Our Pre-Showing Acknowledgement fills that gap while delivering tangible benefits:
| For Renters | For Pinpointe Brokers & Landlords |
|---|---|
| Transparent fees—you sign off that you owe $0 in commission for this unit. | Procurement proof—the form shows which broker earned the fee, preventing commission disputes. |
| No “gotcha” costs later—the agreement spells out who pays before you even tour. | Lean compliance—one page documents FARE Act alignment and fee responsibility. |
| Streamlined applications—everyone funnels through one broker, cutting redundant paperwork. | Faster approvals—fewer duplicate applications mean quicker landlord decisions. |
Inside the Form (Plain-English Cheat Sheet)
| Clause | What It Says | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Pinpointe is paid by the landlord; renter pays nothing. Pre-Showing Acknowledge… | Locks in “no broker fee” in writing. |
| Scope | Applies only to the address you’re about to see. | Keeps your search flexible for other listings. |
| Representation & Application | If you apply, you’ll do it through the Pinpointe broker who toured you. | Prevents double-dipping or broker “switching.” |
| Roommates / Co-Applicants | Everyone on the lease must apply through the same broker. | Stops roommate side deals that derail the deal. |
| Term | Expires at lease signing or 30 days—whichever comes first. | No open-ended obligations. |
| No Exclusive Agency Elsewhere | You’re free to use other brokers for other addresses. | Your search stays your own. |
What If You Want to See Additional Apartments?
The Pre-Showing Acknowledgement does not cover units whose landlords have not hired Pinpointe. If you’d like us to show you other listings beyond the landlord-hired inventory, think off-market options, open listings, or apartments from multiple owners, you can hire Pinpointe as your broker under a separate Tenant Broker Agreement.
We spell out that process (and share the second form) in this post: Hiring Pinpointe as Your Broker: What to Know & Sign.
FAQ – Pinpointe’s Pre-Showing Acknowledgement
Do I have to rent the apartment once I sign?
No. The acknowledgement covers only the showing and application process for that specific address. You can walk away if the place isn’t right for you.
Could the broker charge me later despite the form?
No. The document states the landlord pays our commission. If anyone tries to bill you a broker fee, your signed form is proof that you owe $0.
What happens if my roommate applies through another broker?
That violates the acknowledgement. Pinpointe remains the procuring broker entitled to the fee, and conflicting applications can jeopardize the deal with the landlord.
Can I still tour other listings with different brokers?
Yes. The agreement is address-specific. It doesn’t stop you from using other brokers—or hiring Pinpointe under a separate Renter Representation Agreement—to see additional apartments.
Why aren’t all NYC brokerages using a pre-showing agreement?
The FARE Act created a need for clearer paperwork, but not every firm has built a standardized process yet. Pinpointe chose to lead with transparency rather than wait for an industry mandate.
