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

Bushwick

183 Irving Avenue

$2,620 base rent

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

788 Macon Street

$2,500 base rent

2 |

1

Midwood

3009 Avenue I

$2,599 base rent

1 |

1

Bushwick

211 Himrod Street

$2,899 base rent

2 |

1

Midwood

3009 Avenue I

$2,595 base rent

1 |

1

Ocean Hill

2258 Fulton Street

$2,494 base rent

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

345 Chauncey Street

$2,500 base rent

Studio |

1.5

Bedford-Stuyvesant

29 Brooklyn Avenue

$2,925 base rent

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

1260 Broadway

$2,979 base rent

2 |

1

Bushwick

965 Willoughby Avenue

$2,970 base rent

2 |

1

Flatbush

319 Lenox Road

$2,600 base rent

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

1875 Atlantic Avenue

$2,338 base rent

Studio |

1

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

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

Central Harlem

10 West 135th Street

$2,775 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

10 West 135th Street

$2,665 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

10 West 135th Street

$2,035 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

245 E 124th Street

$2,653 base rent

1 |

1

East Harlem

234 East 106th Street

$2,700 base rent

3 |

1

Central Harlem

2269 Adam C Powell Boulevard

$2,884 base rent

2 |

1

East Harlem

232 East 124th Street

$2,750 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

2504 Adam C Powell Boulevard

$2,679 base rent

3 |

1

Central Harlem

221 West 148th Street

$2,850 base rent

1 |

1

East Harlem

158 E 126th Street

$2,551 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

56 East 130th Street

$2,889 base rent

2 |

1

South Harlem

212 West 124th Street

$2,846 base rent

1 |

1

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

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

Long Island City

37-11 9th Street

$2,499 base rent

2 |

1

Jamaica

88-02 145th Street

$1,650 base rent

1 |

1

Ridgewood

59-13 67th Avenue

$1,700 base rent

Studio |

1

Long Island City

30-16 38th Avenue

$2,650 base rent

2 |

1

Ridgewood

68-06 Forest Avenue

$2,999 base rent

3 |

1

Ridgewood

60-80 Myrtle Avenue

$2,700 base rent

1 |

1

Long Island City

36-11 Steinway Street

$2,295 base rent

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

60-45 68th Avenue

$2,300 base rent

2 |

1

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,053 base rent

1 |

1

Ridgewood

504 Seneca Avenue

$2,875 base rent

2 |

1

Ridgewood

504 Seneca Avenue

$2,875 base rent

2 |

1

Jamaica

92-29 Guy R Brewer Boulevard

$2,941 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

2455 3rd Avenue

$2,495 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

91 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,919 base rent

2 |

1

North New York

480 Concord Avenue

$2,150 base rent

2 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,645 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,525 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,405 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,412 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,412 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,996 base rent

2 |

2

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,412 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,456 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,281 base rent

Studio |

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.}