Key delivery

I found out about an apartment by walking around my new neighborhood and tipping doormen. When I called the mgmt. company, they said I had to go through a broker -- they do not like dealing with applicants directly. I picked a broker and paid one month's rent for her watching me fill out a one-page form in her office and hand her the usual docs (bank statements, etc). By the time I got to the... [more]

I found out about an apartment by walking around my new neighborhood and tipping doormen. When I called the mgmt. company, they said I had to go through a broker -- they do not like dealing with applicants directly. I picked a broker and paid one month's rent for her watching me fill out a one-page form in her office and hand her the usual docs (bank statements, etc). By the time I got to the office, I had a text message that I have been approved which she tried to spin as somehow related to her skill (I am sure it had nothing to do with my 830 FICO score and income of 90x rent). The lease has been signed by all and all checks have been delivered. I am at work by 7.30am and home by 6.30pm, and the new place is on an entirely different subway line from where I live. So I asked her to get a key from the super and bring it to my office when I am there. The entire process would cost her $70 cab ride roundtrip and 1.5 hour of her time. She declined and said the super will give it to me. Having been living in New York since 1999, I paid a broker fee only once and even that was paid for by the employer when I relocated. At the time the broker met me near the residence to hand the key, so really have no experience in dealing with brokers. Is this common/reasonable behavior on her part? Is there a 'usual and customary' standard for post-closing customer service by the rental brokers? Has anyone had similar experience? [less]