Mandatory broker fees, an unusual feature of New York City apartment hunting long reviled by renters, will be banned under legislation that passed Wednesday after overcoming fierce backlash from the city's real estate lobby.

The New York City Council passed a bill Wednesday to have NYC landlords pay for broker fees, instead of tenants.

New York renters would no longer be on the hook for costly broker fees when signing a new apartment lease, under a measure passed by the city council Wednesday.