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

Stuyvesant Heights

366 Stockton Street

$2,995 base rent

1 |

1

Bushwick

978 Decatur Street

$2,800 base rent

2 |

2

Flatbush

2366 Bedford Avenue

$2,900 base rent

1 |

1

Crown Heights

1051 Pacific Street

$2,999 base rent

Studio |

1

Flatbush

117 East 29th Street

$2,300 base rent

1 |

1

Flatbush

250 Clarkson Avenue

$2,700 base rent

2 |

1

Flatbush

720 East 32nd Street

$1,760 base rent

Studio |

1

Crown Heights

1051 Pacific Street

$2,999 base rent

Studio |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

804 Jefferson Avenue

$2,684 base rent

1 |

1

Midwood

1801 Ocean Avenue

$2,795 base rent

1 |

1

Flatbush

2665 Bedford Avenue

$2,150 base rent

1 |

1

Flatbush

2901 Snyder Avenue

$2,799 base rent

1 |

1

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

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

Central Harlem

216 Edgecombe Avenue

$2,800 base rent

1 |

1

South Harlem

104 West 114th Street

$2,550 base rent

1 |

1

East Harlem

1955 First Avenue

$2,464 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

2351 Second Avenue

$2,495 base rent

2 |

1

East Harlem

1955 First Avenue

$2,885 base rent

1 |

1

South Harlem

201 West 120th Street

$2,700 base rent

2 |

1

Central Harlem

488 Saint Nicholas’s Avenue

$2,000 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

165 East 99th Street

$1,999 base rent

1 |

1

South Harlem

26 West 123rd Street

$2,300 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

44 West 128th Street

$2,495 base rent

1 |

1

South Harlem

2033 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard

$2,900 base rent

2 |

1

South Harlem

2033 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard

$2,900 base rent

2 |

1

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

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

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

$2,143 base rent

Studio |

1

Jamaica

92-27 160th Street

$2,533 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

92-27 160th Street

$2,615 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

92-27 160th Street

$2,650 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

92-27 160th Street

$2,347 base rent

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

60-80 Myrtle Avenue

$2,849 base rent

2 |

1

Jamaica

89-61 162nd Street

$2,350 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

89-61 162nd Street

$2,900 base rent

2 |

1

Ridgewood

1854 Palmetto Street

$2,024 base rent

2 |

1

Long Island City

41-18 Crescent Street

$2,842 base rent

Studio |

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

474 East 138th Street

$2,450 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,090 base rent

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,837 base rent

2 |

2

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,769 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

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,438 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.}