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

Weeksville

187 Rochester Avenue

$2,100 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

589 Knickerbocker Avenue

$2,987 No Fee

3 |

1

Crown Heights

247 Brooklyn Avenue

$2,900 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

393 Weirfield Street

$2,837 No Fee

Studio |

1

Bushwick

1426 Greene Avenue

$2,999 No Fee

1 |

2

Bushwick

181 Irving Avenue

$2,700 No Fee

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

804 Macon Street

$2,950 No Fee

1 |

1

Weeksville

1982 Atlantic Avenue

$2,350 No Fee

2 |

1

Weeksville

1015 Montgomery Street

$1,900 No Fee

2 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

613 Marcy Avenue

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

1119 Bergan Street

$2,799 No Fee

2 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

11A Spencer Place

$2,850 No Fee

1 |

1

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

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

Hudson Yards

410 West 36th Street

$2,250 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

2509 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard

$2,600 No Fee

2 |

1

South Harlem

201 West 120th Street

$2,632 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

217 West 145th Street

$1,400 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Harlem

1955 First Avenue

$2,999 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

59 East 126th Street

$2,330 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Harlem

329 Pleasant Avenue

$2,750 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

434 East 115th Street

$1,859 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

137 West 137th Street

$2,300 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

1884 Park Avenue

$2,400 No Fee

2 |

2

Central Harlem

312 West 142nd Street

$2,399 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

312 West 142nd Street

$2,599 No Fee

2 |

1

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

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

Ridgewood

1935 Gates Avenue

$2,750 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

503 Woodward Avenue

$2,650 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

18-69 Stanhope Street

$2,800 No Fee

2 |

1

Hunters Point

11-29 47th Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

306 Onderdonk Avenue

$2,600 No Fee

2 |

1

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,250 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,604 No Fee

2 |

2

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,150 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

18-74 Menahan Street

$2,999 No Fee

2 |

1

Jamaica

88-34 144th Street

$2,600 No Fee

3 |

1

Jamaica

92-27 160th Street

$2,413 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

1916 Gates Avenue

$2,700 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

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,264 No Fee

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$1,984 No Fee

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

329 East 132nd Street

$2,042 No Fee

Studio |

1

North New York

459 East 135th Street

$2,999 No Fee

3 |

1

North New York

532 East 142nd Street

$2,070 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,414 No Fee

2 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,348 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,403 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,343 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,348 No Fee

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,380 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,295 No Fee

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.}