MNS

An extremely unpleasant and stressful experience from beginning to end. I had worked with John Huston and Zaghir Ahmed — they partnered as dual brokers for an apartment I am renting. I paid a 15% fee (higher than any other of the brokers I had been working with — it is ‘industry standard’ but ultimately the majority of brokers negotiate) but I was convinced that it would be worth it for the apartment. For the first month and a half that I lived there, there was no hot water or gas. For the first week and a half there wasn’t even a lock on the front door and the apartment wasn’t cleaned beforehand as promised (pet droppings, bugs, dirt + debris). A few months in, there continue to problems with the basic utilities that I still deal with multiple times a week. When seeking resolution, John and Zaghir were evasive and dismissive. Beyond lacking professionalism, they seemed to also lack any kind of sense of ethics or moral responsibility.
After speaking to other brokers I have also come to understand that if brokers are «dual», e.g. acting in the interest of the landlord as well (or in this case solely in the interest of the landlord), then the prospective tenant should be informed as such from the outset. They told me as I was signing papers, after putting down a deposit, and had tried to without showing me the proper paperwork (because the printer was allegedly broken).
It’s so frustrating that the broker insisted on more than a month’s rent as their fee, and yet the service and product provided are heinously sub-​par.

Worst rental experience to date. Wish I could give this zero stars. I was on top of my paperwork because I needed to urgently move as I explained to the MNS Williamsburg broker. The apartment was a mess and being worked on when I went to view it but I was assured that it would all be ready in time. I took his word because I was very short on time. The broker never went back to check on it and only relied on the word of the landlord that the apartment was in perfect condition. The day I picked up the keys, the apartment was far from move-​in ready (live & dead roaches inside refrigerator & freezer, holes & gaps along walls, in closets, under radiators, poorly done floors, grease & grime on all windows…) Had the broker gone to view it prior to releasing the keys to me, he would have seen that on his own. The ONE positive is that the broker arranged and paid for cleaning services to rectify the situation and insisted that the refrigerator be replaced.
However, since signing the lease, I have dealt with a roach infestation, no heat, multiple leaks/​flooding, a broken front door, mice infestation, mold and a management company that is slow to respond until 311 is called.
I have worked with other agents and feel that they were more on top of things and a bit more honest about the landlords they were working with. One broker told me flat out that the landlord of a particular building was very difficult to deal with. My experience has been that they checked on the apartment before providing keys. At least, they were able to confirm that the apartment is move-​in ready. Anything after that is beyond their control. I clearly know that the real estate companies can only do but so much, especially with the number of slumlords in NYC, but as my broker received a fee equal to one month’s rent, I think he needed to be more thorough, proactive and upfront.
A very disappointing and frustrating experience overall. I look forward to the end of my lease and working with a better agent to find my next place.

I didn’t wind up renting from MNS but worked with one of their agents while I was looking. Bianca Donaldson is a GEM. No joke. If you’ve lived in/​moved in NYC for more than a few years, you’ve probably encountered the slimy sketchiness that is shady brokers — Bianca is the absolute polar opposite of that. She actually listens to what you’re looking for (rather than trying to push you into a place that doesn’t make sense), sticks within your stated budget (none of the usual «I know you only wanted to spend $_​_​_​, but…»), gives you her honest opinion about what she’s showing you, and just generally works hard to find you someplace you’ll love.
So while I wound up getting our new place through a personal connection, I plan on finding Bianca the next time we need to move. She’s awesome and you should call her.