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

Crown Heights

372 New York Avenue

$2,450 base rent

Studio |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

350 Greene Avenue

$2,850 base rent

Studio |

1

Bushwick

1088 Bushwick Avenue

$1,650 base rent

Studio |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

110 Macon Street

$2,495 base rent

Studio |

1

Bushwick

10 Palmetto Street

$2,750 base rent

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

1106 De Kalb Avenue

$2,850 base rent

1 |

1

Flatbush

330 Lenox Road

$2,750 base rent

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

1110 De Kalb Avenue

$2,650 base rent

Studio |

1

Midwood

1402 Avenue K

$1,900 base rent

1 |

1

Bushwick

53 Stockholm Street

$2,200 base rent

Studio |

1

Bushwick

73A Cooper Street

$2,999 base rent

2 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

1173 Fulton Street

$2,979 base rent

1 |

1

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

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

East Harlem

2211 Third Avenue

$2,833 base rent

2 |

1

East Harlem

2211 Third Avenue

$2,450 base rent

1 |

1

East Harlem

2211 Third Avenue

$2,292 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

235 West 131st Street

$2,350 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

238 East 116th Street

$2,700 base rent

2 |

1

East Harlem

411 East 114th Street

$2,700 base rent

2 |

1

East Harlem

235 East 121st Street

$2,675 base rent

1 |

1

East Harlem

135 East 110th Street

$2,100 base rent

1 |

1

South Harlem

2018 Fifth Avenue

$1,722 base rent

Studio |

1

South Harlem

140 West 123rd Street

$2,995 base rent

1 |

1

East Harlem

234 East 106th Street

$2,350 base rent

2 |

1

South Harlem

1775 Madison Avenue

$2,000 base rent

Studio |

1

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

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

Ridgewood

575 Onderdonk Avenue

$2,500 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

89-29 163rd Street

$2,000 base rent

1 |

1

Long Island City

36-27 31st Street

$2,495 base rent

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

2203 Harman Street

$2,750 base rent

1 |

1

Ridgewood

1926 Madison Street

$2,799 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

90-36 Grace Court

$2,445 base rent

1 |

1

Ridgewood

64-38 Catalpa Avenue

$2,875 base rent

2 |

1

Ridgewood

462 Seneca Avenue

$2,575 base rent

1 |

1.5

Ridgewood

1738 Harman Street

$2,950 base rent

1 |

1

Ridgewood

923 Onderdonk Avenue

$2,500 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

88-50 179th Street

$2,100 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

92-29 Guy R Brewer Boulevard

$2,850 base rent

2 |

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

224 East 135th Street

$2,437 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

224 East 135th Street

$2,875 base rent

2 |

1

North New York

419 East 135th Street

$2,867 base rent

2 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,769 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,300 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,692 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,538 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,481 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,481 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,405 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,405 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,481 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.}