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

Midwood

1440 Ocean Parkway

$1,995 base rent

1 |

1

Bushwick

311 Evergreen Avenue

$2,350 base rent

1 |

1

Flatbush

21 East 21st Street

$1,999 base rent

1 |

1

Bushwick

27 Arion Place

$2,400 base rent

Studio |

1

Flatbush

354 East 21st Street

$1,599 base rent

Studio |

1

Flatbush

322 Linden Boulevard

$2,499 base rent

3 |

1

Weeksville

1487 Sterling Place

$2,449 base rent

1 |

1

Midwood

1202 Avenue K

$2,483 base rent

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

141 Marcus Garvey Boulevard

$2,300 base rent

1 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

554 Gates Avenue

$2,999 base rent

1 |

2

Stuyvesant Heights

314 Lewis Avenue

$2,500 base rent

2 |

1

Flatbush

639 East 28th Street

$2,578 base rent

1 |

1

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

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

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$1,700 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$2,400 base rent

2 |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$2,050 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

103 West 128th Street

$1,795 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

2175 Third Avenue

$1,950 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

330 East 119th Street

$2,756 base rent

1 |

1

Hudson Yards

319 West 30th Street

$2,980 base rent

1 |

1

South Harlem

1295 5th Avenue

$2,971 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

66 East 127th Street

$2,650 base rent

1 |

1.5

Central Harlem

2035 Fifth Avenue

$2,862 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

234 East 106th Street

$2,600 base rent

3 |

1

Hudson Yards

508 Ninth Avenue

$2,700 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

41-32 27th Street

$2,971 base rent

Studio |

1

Jamaica

88-36 139th Street

$2,414 base rent

Studio |

1

Long Island City

41-34 Crescent Street

$2,796 base rent

Studio |

1

Jamaica

87-87 171st Street

$2,010 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

88-09 148th Street

$2,781 base rent

2 |

1

Jamaica

153-10 88th Avenue

$2,310 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

153-10 88th Avenue

$2,481 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

153-10 88th Avenue

$2,182 base rent

Studio |

1

Jamaica

153-10 88th Avenue

$2,182 base rent

Studio |

1

Jamaica

88-15 179th Street

$2,155 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

172-02 Hillside Avenue

$2,667 base rent

2 |

1

Jamaica

172-02 Hillside Avenue

$2,583 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

322 Grand Concourse

$2,900 base rent

2 |

1

Mott Haven

322 Grand Concourse

$2,350 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

456 East 149th Street

$1,900 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,585 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,220 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

499 Concord Avenue

$2,232 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,284 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,525 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,645 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,792 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,792 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,412 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.}