I think broker fees are only a thing in NYC. So far I've rented in Atlanta and Denver and in both cases you can just contact the property, arrange a rental and sign the paperwork and boom you got the keys.
They're also a thing in Boston and a few other areas in the US. It's blatantly exploitative, to say nothing of the obvious corruption pointed out in other comments.
There was supposed to be a crackdown on the practice in NYC in 2020, but the brokers lobby was too powerful.[0]
One can only hope that such legislation eventually passes -- and has teeth.
