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

95 Wilson Avenue

$2,352 No Fee

Studio |

1

Bushwick

1336 Dekalb Avenue

$2,600 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

1336 Dekalb Avenue

$2,875 No Fee

2 |

2

Stuyvesant Heights

554A Quincy Street

$2,999 No Fee

2 |

1

Flatbush

2809 Snyder Avenue

$2,999 No Fee

2 |

1

Crown Heights

291 Montgomery Street

$2,975 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

633 Wilson Avenue

$2,200 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

746 Lincoln Place

$2,800 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

481 Montgomery Street

$2,450 No Fee

1 |

1

Weeksville

87 Utica Avenue

$2,900 No Fee

3 |

1

Weeksville

1308 Eastern Parkway

$2,850 No Fee

3 |

1.5

Bedford-Stuyvesant

100 Hart Street

$2,395 No Fee

1 |

1

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

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

East Harlem

340 East 117th Street

$2,325 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

68 East 127th Street

$1,900 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hudson Yards

407 West 39th Street

$2,700 No Fee

Studio |

1

Hudson Yards

407 West 39th Street

$2,500 No Fee

Studio |

1

South Harlem

207 West 115th Street

$2,658 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

116 East 117th Street

$1,895 No Fee

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

200 West 145th Street

$2,450 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

217 West 145th Street

$2,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

210 West 133rd Street

$2,400 No Fee

2 |

1

Central Harlem

150 West 140th Street

$2,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

102 West 134th Street

$1,960 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

138 East 112nd Street

$2,449 No Fee

1 |

1

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

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

Ridgewood

1662 Woodbine Street

$2,700 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

62-14 61st Street

$2,500 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

152-09 88th Avenue

$2,600 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

152-09 88th Avenue

$2,100 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

59-35 Myrtle Avenue

$2,613 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

507 Woodward Avenue

$2,350 No Fee

1 |

1

Long Island City

37-34 29th Street

$2,595 No Fee

Studio |

1

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,498 No Fee

2 |

2

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$1,500 No Fee

Studio |

1

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$1,800 No Fee

1 |

1

Ridgewood

60-96 70th Avenue

$2,150 No Fee

1 |

1

Long Island City

36-27 31st Street

$2,568 No Fee

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

540 Jackson Avenue

$2,800 No Fee

2 |

2

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,667 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,600 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,396 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,354 No Fee

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,438 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,413 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,638 No Fee

1 |

1

North New York

442 East 145th Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,266 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,414 No Fee

2 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,264 No Fee

Studio |

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.}