My current studio apartment is under a maximum two-month lease, precisely because the building itself is up for sale so the leases are short in case it sells and the tenants have to move out in a few months.
I signed an initial two-month lease at the end of July and paid a broker fee with it for that two months. I also apparently signed a document that essentially says that upon each renewal of the two-month lease up until a year has passed that he is entitled to the same hefty broker fee each time in lieu of being able to charge 15% on a one-year lease.
I renewed my lease for October 1st by again being forced to go through this broker (who did nothing besides forward me the lease via email again after me badgering him for it twice) and, since I am paying monthly, paid half the broker fee. The next half was due on November 1st but the more I've looked into this I feel that the contract I was apparently made to sign was unethical and have doubts about its legality, so I didn't pay the broker fee, just mailed in my rent.
I want to be able to just renew every two months with the management company without paying this broker. The landlord's attorney just called me and left a voicemail to ask me to call her back so we can work something out. What are my rights here? Is it worth it to fight this? It's a $200/month fee so hiring a lawyer isn't worth it. And what are the risks? Thanks a ton.