No-fee apartments are highly coveted among New York renters, with the promise of lower upfront costs creating less of a barrier for those looking to move. On average, more than half of StreetEasy’s rental listings are marked as “no fee,” though the share of no-fee listings fluctuates depending on the time of year. StreetEasy data shows that renters are least likely to find a no-fee apartment in June and July, when no-fee apartments comprise on average 50% of all listings. Meanwhile, renters are most likely to find a no-fee apartment in December and January, when close to 60% of listings advertise no-fee.

Though renters are more likely to pay a broker fee during the summer months, it’s still possible to find a no-fee apartment year-round. Likelihood of paying a broker fee also varies across neighborhoods and boroughs, with Brooklyn being the top borough to find a no-fee apartment. 

We’ve identified the neighborhoods with the highest share of no-fee listings, where renters are least likely to pay a broker fee.

Top Neighborhoods for No-Fee Apartments

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

Stuyvesant Heights

643 Madison Street

$2,650 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

30 Rogers Avenue

$2,786 No Fee

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

35 Buffalo Avenue

$2,700 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1438 Ocean Avenue

$1,950 No Fee

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

602 Jefferson Avenue

$2,850 No Fee

2 |

1

Flatbush

2553 Bedford Avenue

$2,650 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

1466 Bushwick Avenue

$2,599 No Fee

1 |

1

Ocean Hill

14 Radde Place

$2,600 No Fee

2 |

1

Clinton Hill

64 Saint James Place

$2,899 No Fee

1 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

727 De Kalb Avenue

$2,700 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

1042 President Street

$2,600 No Fee

Studio |

1

Bushwick

37 Linden Street

$2,200 No Fee

Studio |

1

Top Neighborhoods for No-Fee Apartments <$3,000

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

Central Harlem

225 West 146th Street

$2,020 No Fee

1 |

1

South Harlem

28 West 125th Street

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

1

South Harlem

15 West 116th Street

$2,967 No Fee

2 |

1

South Harlem

15 West 116th Street

$2,634 No Fee

1 |

1

South Harlem

217 West 123rd Street

$2,708 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

69 East 130th Street

$2,950 No Fee

1 |

1

South Harlem

200 West 113rd Street

$2,285 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

158 East 126th Street

$2,765 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

2159 Fifth Avenue

$2,400 No Fee

2 |

1

East Harlem

158 East 126th Street

$2,895 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

2847 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,287 No Fee

2 |

1

East Harlem

2004 Second Avenue

$2,299 No Fee

1 |

1

Top Neighborhoods for No-Fee Apartments $3,000+

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

Hunters Point

13-03 Jackson Avenue

$2,800 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,604 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

1891 Stockholm Street

$2,250 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

1629 Summerfield Avenue

$2,746 No Fee

2 |

1

Long Island City

38-11 31st Street

$2,745 No Fee

Studio |

1

Jamaica

152-09 88th Avenue

$2,650 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

152-09 88th Avenue

$2,050 No Fee

Studio |

1

Jamaica

148-15 89th Avenue

$2,925 No Fee

2 |

2

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,250 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

2005 Woodbine Street

$2,150 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

88-11 179 Place

$2,300 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

88-11 179 Place

$2,360 No Fee

1 |

1

What Is a Broker Fee?

Moving costs can look a little different in New York City. On top of the standard application fees (legally limited to $20 maximum), security deposit (legally limited to one month’s rent), and first month’s rent, New York renters may be charged a broker fee as well. This fee is a commission the broker earns for completing a transaction in which they successfully match a renter with an apartment. A renter will almost always pay a broker fee when they hire the broker to help them find an apartment. However, a renter may also have to pay a broker fee when the landlord hires the broker, as landlords are not required to cover this cost and may choose to charge the fee to the renter instead.

Broker fees usually range anywhere from one month’s rent to 15% of the annual rent, and the amount can vary from brokerage to brokerage and apartment to apartment. But this fee isn’t a given, and on average less than half of StreetEasy rental listings charge one. You can read more about broker fees here.

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

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,931 No Fee

2 |

1

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,256 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

224 East 135th Street

$2,315 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,989 No Fee

2 |

2

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,981 No Fee

2 |

2

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,254 No Fee

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,404 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,519 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

135 Alexander Avenue

$2,700 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

224 East 135th Street

$2,541 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

224 East 135th Street

$2,875 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

224 East 135th Street

$2,437 No Fee

1 |

1

How to Find a No-Fee Apartment in NYC

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 no-fee apartment options.
• Look for listings by owner or by building management companies: When owners and building management companies list apartments themselves, that means there’s no broker involved, and therefore no broker fee. You’ll see the information about who listed the apartment just below the “Request a Tour” and “Ask a Question” buttons on a StreetEasy listing.
• Set up saved searches and email notifications: No-fee apartments are popular, so they often go fast. To ensure you’re seeing the most recent no-fee apartments as soon as they’re listed, create a saved search on StreetEasy with the parameters you’re looking for (make sure to check that no-fee box!) and sign up for notifications to get the latest listings sent directly to your email. When you see an apartment you like, reach out and ask for a tour ASAP. The earliest bird often gets the worm!

^{Disclaimer: The information provided is intended for informational purposes only and intended to reflect a snapshot in time.}