The Real Estate Board of New York is looking to strike down New York City’s broker fees ban, telling the Manhattan federal court that the prohibition will raise rents and encroach on brokers’ free speech rights.

Represented by Hogan Lovells, REBNY argued that the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses Act’s mandate blocking brokers from passing along their fees to tenants will “effectively eliminate” brokers’ rights to advertise open properties.