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

Flatbush

639 East 28th Street

$2,578 base rent

1 |

1

Ocean Hill

14 Roosevelt Place

$2,895 base rent

2 |

1

Bushwick

38 Cooper Street

$2,500 base rent

1 |

1

Flatbush

39 Lenox Road

$2,495 base rent

Studio |

1

Flatbush

39 Lenox Road

$2,850 base rent

1 |

1

Flatbush

45 Lenox Road

$2,850 base rent

1 |

1

Weeksville

1746 Union Street

$1,350 base rent

1 |

1

Bushwick

412 Evergreen Avenue

$2,341 base rent

1 |

1

Bushwick

93 Linden Street

$2,724 base rent

2 |

1

Bushwick

93 Linden Street

$2,284 base rent

1 |

1

Bushwick

90 Weirfield Street

$2,600 base rent

1 |

1

Bushwick

93 Linden Street

$2,221 base rent

1 |

1

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

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

East Harlem

1797 Lex Avenue

$1,850 base rent

Studio |

1

Hudson Yards

453 West 36th Street

$2,050 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

2741 F Douglas Boulevard

$2,000 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

242 West 132nd Street

$2,395 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

375 Pleasant Avenue

$2,250 base rent

2 |

1

South Harlem

2103 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,695 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

235 West 131st Street

$2,186 base rent

Studio |

1

Hudson Yards

462 Ninth Avenue

$2,800 base rent

1 |

1

South Harlem

1833 7th Avenue

$2,594 base rent

1 |

1

East Harlem

153 East 117th Street

$2,700 base rent

2 |

1

East Harlem

311 East 105th Street

$2,450 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

17 West 125th Street

$2,499 base rent

1 |

1

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

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

Ridgewood

56-34 Myrtle Avenue

$2,495 base rent

1 |

1

Ridgewood

462 Seneca Avenue

$2,650 base rent

1 |

1.5

Ridgewood

987 Wyckoff Avenue

$2,200 base rent

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

1851 Cornelia Street

$2,995 base rent

1 |

1

Long Island City

36-22 31st Street

$2,933 base rent

Studio |

1

Hunters Point

51-10 Vernon Boulevard

$2,900 base rent

Studio |

1

Jamaica

92-29 Guy R Brewer Boulevard

$2,968 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

92-29 Guy R Brewer Boulevard

$2,941 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

92-29 Guy R Brewer Boulevard

$2,565 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

92-29 Guy R Brewer Boulevard

$2,499 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

92-29 Guy R Brewer Boulevard

$2,486 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

88-36 139th Street

$2,614 base rent

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

112 Lincoln Avenue

$2,310 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

456 East 149th Street

$1,900 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

286 Rider Avenue

$2,528 base rent

2 |

1

Mott Haven

286 Rider Avenue

$2,586 base rent

2 |

2

Mott Haven

2455 3rd Avenue

$2,310 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

91 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,962 base rent

2 |

2

North New York

91 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,919 base rent

2 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,631 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,558 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,412 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,462 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,813 base rent

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.}