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

Bedford-Stuyvesant

137 Madison Street

$2,575 No Fee

Studio |

1

Bushwick

303 Grove Street

$2,400 No Fee

3 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

168 Sumpter Street

$2,856 No Fee

2 |

2

Flatbush

157 Erasmus Street

$2,575 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

597 Grand Avenue

$2,900 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

1155 East 35th Street

$2,750 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

340 Evergreen Avenue

$2,650 No Fee

Studio |

1

Crown Heights

2175 Bergen Street

$2,773 No Fee

2 |

2

Bushwick

500 Central Avenue

$2,600 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

54 Noll Street

$2,628 No Fee

1 |

1

Prospect Heights

200 Sterling Place

$2,475 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

24 Rogers Avenue

$2,375 No Fee

1 |

1

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

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

Central Harlem

216 West 149th Street

$2,295 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

216 West 149th Street

$2,350 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

216 West 149th Street

$2,466 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

2371 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,775 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

260 West 135th Street

$1,978 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

2371 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,699 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Harlem

2177 Third Avenue

$1,799 No Fee

Studio |

1

South Harlem

3 East 115th Street

$2,595 No Fee

1 |

1

South Harlem

131 West 116th Street

$2,300 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$1,400 No Fee

Studio |

1

South Harlem

18 East 125th Street

$2,979 No Fee

3 |

1

Central Harlem

205 West 147th Street

$2,449 No Fee

1 |

1

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

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

Ridgewood

18-79 Troutman Street

$2,800 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

71-13 60 Lane

$2,965 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

1864 Himrod Street

$2,500 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

92-27 160th Street

$2,450 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

503 Woodward Avenue

$2,800 No Fee

2 |

1

Jamaica

88-11 179 Place

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

88-11 179 Place

$2,450 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,594 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,598 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,598 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,612 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,672 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

578 East 139th Street

$1,905 No Fee

2 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,558 No Fee

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,538 No Fee

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,405 No Fee

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,412 No Fee

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,538 No Fee

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,462 No Fee

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,952 No Fee

2 |

2

Mott Haven

224 East 135th Street

$2,410 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

224 East 135th Street

$2,315 No Fee

1 |

1

North New York

540 East 138th Street

$2,240 No Fee

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,865 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.}