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

85 Jefferson Street

$2,900 base rent

1 |

1

Weeksville

1311 Lincoln Place

$2,590 base rent

1 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

479 Classon Avenue

$2,690 base rent

1 |

1

Bushwick

1157 Myrtle Avenue

$2,950 base rent

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

440 Madison Street

$2,850 base rent

3 |

1

Flatbush

2201 Beverley Road

$2,884 base rent

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

101 Patchen Avenue

$2,954 base rent

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

1006 Gates Avenue

$2,769 base rent

1 |

1

Crown Heights

2175 Bergen Street

$2,504 base rent

2 |

2

Bedford-Stuyvesant

350 Greene Avenue

$2,899 base rent

1 |

1

Ocean Hill

1884 Broadway

$2,438 base rent

1 |

1

Crown Heights

647 Franklin Avenue

$2,525 base rent

1 |

1

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

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

East Harlem

2006 Second Avenue

$2,250 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

150 West 140th Street

$1,800 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

215 West 145th Street

$2,500 base rent

3 |

1

South Harlem

131 West 116th Street

$2,200 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

215 East 110th Street

$2,095 base rent

Studio |

1

South Harlem

386 Manhattan Avenue

$2,995 base rent

1 |

1

East Harlem

414 East 119th Street

$2,695 base rent

2 |

1

Hudson Yards

407 West 39th Street

$2,795 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

201 East 118th Street

$2,620 base rent

Studio |

1

South Harlem

1309 5th Avenue

$2,516 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

311 East 109th Street

$1,676 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$2,050 base rent

1 |

1

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

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

Hunters Point

51-10 Vernon Boulevard

$2,650 base rent

Studio |

1

Hunters Point

23-10 42 Road

$2,990 base rent

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

1660 Putnam Avenue

$2,900 base rent

2 |

2

Ridgewood

1660 Putnam Avenue

$2,900 base rent

2 |

2

Jamaica

92-27 160th Street

$2,567 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

92-27 160th Street

$2,600 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

92-27 160th Street

$2,650 base rent

1 |

1

Ridgewood

10-17 Wyckoff Avenue

$2,500 base rent

1 |

1

Ridgewood

10-15 Wyckoff Avenue

$2,503 base rent

1 |

1

Ridgewood

2042 Grove Street

$2,700 base rent

2 |

1

Ridgewood

1815 Putnam Avenue

$2,600 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

152-09 88th Avenue

$2,650 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

224 East 135th Street

$2,419 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,280 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

419 East 135th Street

$2,850 base rent

2 |

1

North New York

128 Willis Avenue

$2,686 base rent

2 |

2

North New York

494 Jackson Avenue

$2,799 base rent

2 |

1

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,500 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,958 base rent

2 |

1

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,466 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

329 East 132nd Street

$2,677 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

329 East 132nd Street

$2,005 base rent

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

315 Alexander Avenue

$2,680 base rent

2 |

1

North New York

480 Concord Avenue

$2,500 base rent

2 |

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.}