Apartment hunting in New York City can be complicated thanks to NYC real estate-specific jargon. One such term you’ve likely come across is “no-fee apartment.” What does that mean? Well, using a broker to help you find a rental is standard ― but it’s not free. Typically, someone has to pay for the broker’s services, and in NYC, who pays that fee can vary from apartment to apartment. Here’s everything you need to know about no-fee apartments in NYC.

Manhattan Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Inwood

520 West 218th Street

$2,500 base rent

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1

Central Harlem

203 West 144th Street

$2,200 base rent

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1

Lincoln Square

236 West 64th Street

$1,999 base rent

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1

Yorkville

412 East 83rd Street

$2,474 base rent

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1

Central Harlem

143 West 143rd Street

$2,900 base rent

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1

Murray Hill

304 East 41st Street

$2,550 base rent

Studio |

1

Upper West Side

321 West 80th Street

$2,470 base rent

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1

Hell’s Kitchen

363 West 46th Street

$2,550 base rent

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1

Upper West Side

108 West 81st Street

$2,613 base rent

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1

Nolita

37 Spring Street

$2,900 base rent

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1

Yorkville

526 East 85th Street

$2,500 base rent

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1

Hamilton Heights

527 West 151st Street

$2,500 base rent

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What Is a No-Fee Apartment Listing?

When searching for a place, you’ll likely come across apartment listings that loudly declare “no fee!” You’ll also encounter many listings that don’t. So what’s the difference? 

In very basic terms, a no-fee apartment is an apartment where the tenant doesn’t pay a commission or broker fee. But, like so many things in NYC real estate, there’s more to know.

Brooklyn Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Crown Heights

1363 Dean Street

$2,300 base rent

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1

Park Slope

199 Prospect Avenue

$2,900 base rent

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Midwood

1355 East 18th Street

$2,550 base rent

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1

Stuyvesant Heights

321 Chauncey Street

$2,550 base rent

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1

Flatbush

1448 Nostrand Avenue

$2,999 base rent

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1.5

Greenwood

215 33rd Street

$2,995 base rent

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1

Crown Heights

1167 Dean Street

$2,995 base rent

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1

Bushwick

58 Palmetto Street

$2,979 base rent

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1

Bay Ridge

238 79th Street

$2,000 base rent

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1

Flatbush

35 Oakland Place

$2,500 base rent

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1

East Flatbush

342 East 55th Street

$2,000 base rent

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1

East Flatbush

1634 Flatbush Avenue

$2,541 base rent

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What’s the Difference Between Broker Fees and Commissions?

“The terms ‘broker fee’ and ‘commission’ are interchangeable,” says Becki Danchik, a StreetEasy Expert and broker with Coldwell Banker Warburg. “It’s the fee a broker earns on completing a transaction in which they match the right person with the right property. A no-fee apartment is typically when the landlord has agreed to pay that fee to the exclusive listing agent on behalf of the tenant.” A landlord will usually do this in the hope of securing a tenant quickly, she explains.

Landlords Have Brokers

Keep in mind, though, that “no fee” applies only to the landlord’s broker, also known as the listing agent, and landlords are not required to cover that cost (more on this shortly). Here’s how it works: if you approach an apartment’s listing agent directly and secure the no-fee apartment on your own, then great — you don’t pay a fee! But if you enlisted the services of a broker (who is not the listing agent), and you found that apartment through that broker, you owe them their commission, whether the apartment says “no fee” or not.

Queens Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Kew Gardens

83-21 Lefferts Boulevard

$2,100 base rent

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1

Ditmars-Steinway

74-01 Ditmars Boulevard

$2,350 base rent

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1

Jackson Heights

32-15 93rd Street

$2,100 base rent

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1

Astoria

31-28 29th Street

$2,600 base rent

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1

Jackson Heights

73-12 31st Avenue

$2,850 base rent

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1

Jackson Heights

37-58 81st Street

$1,950 base rent

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1

Forest Hills

111-50 76 Road

$2,295 base rent

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1

Rego Park

64-74 Saunders Street

$2,300 base rent

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1

Forest Hills

65-14 108th Street

$2,550 base rent

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1

Flushing

43-32 Kissena Boulevard

$2,599 base rent

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1

Astoria

25-38 43rd Street

$2,563 base rent

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1

Ridgewood

59-20 67th Avenue

$2,800 base rent

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What Is a Broker Fee?

Now that you understand the definition of no-fee apartment, you’d probably like to know how apartments with fees work. In short, renters who use a broker to find an apartment have to pay a broker fee. If you hire a broker who successfully finds you an apartment, they’ll earn an agreed-upon commission on the deal.

How Much Are Broker Fees for Renters?

The cost varies by broker and area. For instance, fees charged for Manhattan rentals may be more expensive than units in Queens, which has a lower median asking rent. Broker fees are somewhat negotiable, but generally, it’s either one month’s rent or up to 15% of the unit’s annual rent. That’s on top of paying your first month’s rent and security deposit. FYI: your security deposit can’t be more than one month’s rent.

Wait, Weren’t Broker Fee Abolished?

New York State changed the broker fee regulations with the Statewide Housing Security & Tenant Protection Act of 2019. The guidance issued stated that a prospective tenant can’t compensate a landlord’s agent (aka listing agent). It would have been a substantial cost-saving measure for future renters ― but a judge struck it down in April 2021, ruling that the state misinterpreted the act. 

Sample Move-In Costs with a Broker’s Fee

Property owners or management companies will often ask for first month’s rent and a security deposit, in addition to the broker’s fee, before you can move in to a new apartment. Here is the estimated cost breakdown for a $3,799/month (NYC’s median asking rent as of July 2023 — to see the latest median asking rent for a particular neighborhood, visit our StreetEasy Data Dashboard) apartment with a 12 percent broker’s fee (percentage of total annual cost) — before even moving in!

Hoboken Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Hoboken

610 2nd Street

$2,300 base rent

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1

Hoboken

519 Madison Street

$2,000 base rent

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1

Hoboken

533 Monroe Street

$2,500 base rent

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1

Hoboken

800 Park Avenue

$2,500 base rent

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1

Hoboken

327 Jackson Street

$2,000 base rent

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1

Hoboken

333 Monroe Street

$2,850 base rent

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1

Hoboken

606 Jefferson Street

$2,600 base rent

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1

Hoboken

327 Jackson Street

$2,100 base rent

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1

Hoboken

318 Jefferson Street

$2,250 base rent

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1

Hoboken

327 Jackson Street

$2,000 base rent

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1

Hoboken

532 Adams Street

$2,600 base rent

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1

Hoboken

811 Washington Street

$2,500 base rent

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1

How to Find a No-Fee Apartment in NYC 

You’ve decided you want to avoid paying a broker fee. Now, you’re probably wondering how to find a no-fee apartment. Here are a few options:

• Use the no-fee apartment filter on StreetEasy: You can easily check the “no-fee only” box during your StreetEasy search to yield only apartment options without a broker fee. It will narrow your search to only those units.
• Look for apartments listed by owners or management companies: A management rep is essentially an in-house broker — their goal is to find ideal tenants for their apartments. So, if you contact them directly, there shouldn’t be a fee. Just remember, property management companies rent apartments only in their specific buildings. Brokers, on the other hand, can have access to rentals in a variety of places.
• Walk around the neighborhood: If you know the neighborhood you’re interested in, walk around it to see if buildings have posted listing signs. They should have the landlord or management company’s contact information. Call them and see if there are apartments available or if any are coming up.

Jersey City Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Jersey City

250 Van Horne Street

$2,600 base rent

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1

Bergen/Lafayette

404 Halladay Street

$2,700 base rent

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1

Jersey City

18 Oakland Avenue

$2,850 base rent

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1

The Heights

233 Griffith Street

$2,200 base rent

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West Side

18-20 Kensington Avenue

$1,895 base rent

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Jersey City

292 Linden Avenue

$2,350 base rent

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1

Jersey City

117 Wade Street

$2,050 base rent

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Jersey City

121 Wade Street

$2,350 base rent

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2

Jersey City

121 Wade Street

$1,995 base rent

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1

Jersey City

160 Vroom Street

$2,150 base rent

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1

Jersey City

160 Vroom Street

$2,100 base rent

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Jersey City

49 Fisk Street

$2,030 base rent

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Do No-Fee Apartments Save You Money?

Surface level, it seems that no-fee apartments would be less expensive to rent than fee apartments. But there is some debate as to whether no-fee rentals save renters money, particularly when it comes to luxury rentals. Many buildings like these are no-fee, but cost much more per month because they have desirable amenities such as doormen, fitness centers, and outdoor space. It’s also possible that for a no-fee apartment, the broker fee is baked into your rent and you end up paying more per month — but it still saves you on upfront move-in costs.

Whatever you decide, be sure to search for your dream rental on StreetEasy!