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

1535 East 14th Street

$2,300 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

1836 Park Place

$2,650 No Fee

2 |

1

Flatbush

561 East 26th Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

287 Cornelia Street

$2,175 No Fee

1 |

1

Flatbush

1471 Nostrand Avenue

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1792 Ocean Avenue

$2,429 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1792 Ocean Avenue

$2,995 No Fee

2 |

2

Flatbush

286 Linden Boulevard

$2,495 No Fee

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

321 Pulaski Street

$2,550 No Fee

2 |

1

Prospect Heights

195 Underhill Avenue

$2,498 No Fee

Studio |

1

Crown Heights

2303A Pacific Street

$2,350 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

1198 Putman Avenue

$2,900 No Fee

2 |

1

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

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

Financial District

1 Wall Street Court

$2,998 No Fee

Studio |

1

South Harlem

226 West 111st Street

$2,800 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

252 West 149th Street

$2,225 No Fee

2 |

1

South Harlem

115 West 117th Street

$2,500 No Fee

Studio |

1.5

East Harlem

334 East 105th Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

East Harlem

340 East 105th Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

2918 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,350 No Fee

2 |

1

East Harlem

1875 Lexington Avenue

$2,800 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

102 West 138th Street

$2,899 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

1 West 126th Street

$1,800 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

1976 Madison Avenue

$2,375 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

2807 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,600 No Fee

2 |

1

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

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

Ridgewood

16-18 Jefferson Avenue

$2,590 No Fee

2 |

1

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,498 No Fee

2 |

2

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,406 No Fee

Studio |

1

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,475 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

1710 Putnam Avenue

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

148-16 89th Avenue

$1,450 No Fee

Studio |

1

Long Island City

31-07 38th Avenue

$2,950 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

56-50 Myrtle Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

1815 Putnam Avenue

$2,350 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

1712 Madison Street

$2,995 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

1712 Madison Street

$2,995 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

17-11 Hancock Street

$2,995 No Fee

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

North New York

466 East 143rd Street

$1,850 No Fee

1 |

1

North New York

417 East 135th Street

$2,275 No Fee

2 |

1

Mott Haven

101 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,792 No Fee

2 |

2

Mott Haven

101 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,792 No Fee

2 |

2

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,537 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,209 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,332 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,356 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

$2,600 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,667 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.}