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

38 Cooper Street

$2,700 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

1532 Ocean Avenue

$1,500 No Fee

1 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

655A Greene Avenue

$2,850 No Fee

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

735A Quincy Street

$2,699 No Fee

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

863 Hancock Street

$2,649 No Fee

2 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

411 Chauncey Street

$2,495 No Fee

1 |

1

Flatbush

123 Linden Boulevard

$2,895 No Fee

Studio |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

930 De Kalb Avenue

$2,775 No Fee

2 |

1

Crown Heights

195 Sullivan Place

$2,575 No Fee

1 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

39 Mac Donough Street

$2,100 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

675 Knickerbocker Avenue

$2,718 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

100 Starr Street

$2,500 No Fee

1 |

1

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

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

South Harlem

215 West 116th Street

$2,769 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$2,130 No Fee

1 |

1

South Harlem

319 West 116th Street

$2,595 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

164 West 128th Street

$2,650 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

137 West 141st Street

$2,775 No Fee

3 |

1

South Harlem

136 West 119th Street

$1,862 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

107 West 138th Street

$2,095 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

420 East 120th Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

69 East 125th Street

$2,947 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

49 East 129th Street

$2,100 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

241 East 120th Street

$2,400 No Fee

2 |

1

East Harlem

315 East 104th Street

$2,950 No Fee

2 |

1

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

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

Ridgewood

786 Seneca Avenue

$2,295 No Fee

1 |

1

Hunters Point

5-32 47th Avenue

$2,450 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hunters Point

22-44 Jackson Avenue

$2,940 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hunters Point

22-44 Jackson Avenue

$2,906 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

1671 Summerfield Street

$2,995 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

609 Fairview Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

91-12 175th Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

176 Woodward Avenue

$2,825 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

689 Seneca Avenue

$2,850 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

1876 Gates Avenue

$2,600 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

62-14 61st Street

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

17-15 Linden Street

$2,700 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

Mott Haven

445 Gerard Avenue

$2,733 No Fee

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

414 Gerard Avenue

$2,614 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

414 Gerard Avenue

$2,614 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

414 Gerard Avenue

$2,653 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

414 Gerard Avenue

$2,679 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

445 Gerard Avenue

$2,743 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

445 Gerard Avenue

$2,743 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

445 Gerard Avenue

$2,786 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,542 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,936 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

329 East 132nd Street

$2,496 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,866 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.}