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

782 New York Avenue

$2,842 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

95 Wilson Avenue

$2,367 No Fee

Studio |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

1779 Fulton Street

$2,000 No Fee

Studio |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

1329 Fulton Street

$2,200 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

931 Carroll Street

$2,784 No Fee

1 |

1

Flatbush

100 Lenox Road

$2,842 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

1222 Bushwick Avenue

$2,250 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ocean Hill

1436 Herkimer Street

$2,800 No Fee

2 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

142 Macon Street

$2,650 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

1004 Union Street

$2,350 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

1154 Gates Avenue

$2,675 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

879 Knickerbocker Avenue

$1,900 No Fee

1 |

1

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

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

East Harlem

305 East 105th Street

$1,950 No Fee

1 |

1

Hudson Yards

407 West 39th Street

$2,700 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hudson Yards

407 West 39th Street

$2,500 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

150 West 140th Street

$2,000 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

222 East 111st Street

$2,950 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

401 East 116th Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

East Harlem

2242 First Avenue

$2,200 No Fee

1 |

1

Financial District

100 Maiden Lane

$2,975 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

200 West 145th Street

$2,450 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

304 West 151st Street

$2,350 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

152 West 140th Street

$2,923 No Fee

1 |

1

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

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

Ridgewood

1704 Gates Avenue

$2,560 No Fee

2 |

1

Long Island City

27-16 41st Avenue

$2,820 No Fee

Studio |

1

Long Island City

36-22 31st Street

$2,600 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

17-11 Hancock Street

$2,995 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

664 Woodward Avenue

$2,499 No Fee

2 |

1

Jamaica

152-11 89th Avenue

$2,169 No Fee

Studio |

1

Jamaica

152-11 89th Avenue

$2,600 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

16-18 Jefferson Avenue

$2,699 No Fee

2 |

1

Hunters Point

10-59 Jackson Avenue

$1,990 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

60-96 70th Avenue

$2,199 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

1679 Madison Street

$2,708 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

88-35 164th Street

$1,850 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

North New York

417 East 135th Street

$2,275 No Fee

2 |

1

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,792 No Fee

2 |

2

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,634 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,282 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

2401 3rd Avenue

$2,614 No Fee

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

322 Grand Concourse

$2,415 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

322 Grand Concourse

$2,851 No Fee

2 |

1

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,885 No Fee

2 |

1

North New York

333 Cypress Avenue

$2,550 No Fee

2 |

1

Mott Haven

322 Grand Concourse

$2,851 No Fee

2 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,446 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,729 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.}