Apartment Information Vendor & Sharing Agent

An Apartment Information Vendor license allows you to engage in the business of claiming, demanding, charging, receiving, collecting, or contracting for the collection of a fee from a customer for furnishing information concerning the location and availability of real property, including apartment housing, which may be leased, rented, shared or sublet as a private dwelling, abode, or place of residence.

An Apartment Sharing Agent license allows you to, for a fee, arrange, conduct, coordinate, handle or cause meetings between a customer and the current owner or occupant of legally occupied real property, including apartment housing, who wishes to share that housing with one or more individuals as a private dwelling, abode or place of residence, but it shall not apply to any person who for another and for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration, supervises, organizes, arranges, coordinates, handles or is otherwise in charge of or responsible for the relocation of commercial or residential tenants from buildings or structures that are to be demolished, rehabilitated, remodeled or otherwise structurally altered.

Term of licensure is one year beginning November 1 and ending October 31 of the next year. If you apply within the one year cycle, your license will expire on October 31st.

laws, rules and regulations

To apply for an Apartment Information Vendor license, you must establish and maintain a special interest-bearing account in the minimum amount of $5,000 in a branch of a national or state chartered banking institution having a place of business within the state, plus $2,500 for each licensed branch office. Additionally, an escrow account as prescribed by Title 19 NYCRR 190.2 must be submitted for approval.

To apply for an Apartment Sharing Agent license, you must establish and maintain a special interest-bearing account in the minimum amount of $2,500 in a branch of a national or state chartered banking institution having a place of business within the state, plus $1,250 for each licensed branch office.

In either case, the account must provide that moneys may not be withdrawn without the written consent of the Secretary of State. Monies will not be released until 6 months from the date of request.

There are no fees associated with your Apartment Information Vendor or Apartment Sharing Agent license.

Renew Your License

You are eligible to renew your license 90 days prior to your license expiration date. Your license expiration date is printed on the license.

Renewal forms are mailed approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration date. Complete and submit the renewal form to the address on the form.

If you are eligible to renew your license and you have not received a renewal form, email the Division of Licensing Services and request a form. Your email must include your full name, mailing address, license type, unique identification number and expiration date of your license.

Update Your License

To update your personal name, business or residence address download, complete and submit the Change Notice (DOS-1473) to the address on the form.

To request a duplicate license certificate, complete and submit the Duplicate License/Registration Request (DOS-1508) to the address on the form.

To apply for your Apartment Information Vendor or Apartment Sharing Agent license, submit a completed application to the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.