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

Crown Heights

641 Saint Mark’s Avenue

$2,635 base rent

1 |

1

Bushwick

113 Wyckoff Avenue

$2,195 base rent

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

795 Quincy Street

$2,195 base rent

1 |

1

Flatbush

219 Lenox Road

$2,399 base rent

Studio |

1

Flatbush

1499 Nostrand Avenue

$2,698 base rent

1 |

1.5

Flatbush

2605 Snyder Avenue

$2,600 base rent

Studio |

1

Bushwick

1334 Bushwick Avenue

$2,995 base rent

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

1875 Atlantic Avenue

$2,311 base rent

Studio |

1

Clinton Hill

306 Park Avenue

$2,995 base rent

2 |

1

Crown Heights

1409 Dean Street

$2,600 base rent

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

423 Marcus Garvey Avenue

$2,700 base rent

1 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

479 Classon Avenue

$2,690 base rent

1 |

1

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

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

East Harlem

2149 Second Avenue

$1,664 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

166 West 129th Street

$1,895 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

318 East 126th Street

$1,900 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

234 East 106th Street

$2,375 base rent

2 |

1

Central Harlem

273 West 138th Street

$2,639 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

136 Edgecomb Avenue

$2,250 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

2903 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,295 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

2903 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,200 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

1856 Park Avenue

$2,368 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

1856 Park Avenue

$2,411 base rent

Studio |

1

Central Harlem

2647 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,450 base rent

1 |

1

South Harlem

1309 5th Avenue

$2,971 base rent

1 |

1

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

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

Jamaica

166-25 89th Avenue

$1,700 base rent

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

66-76 Fresh Pd Road

$2,800 base rent

2 |

1

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,996 base rent

2 |

1.5

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,961 base rent

2 |

1.5

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,910 base rent

2 |

1.5

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,436 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,436 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,436 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

166-20 90th Avenue

$2,417 base rent

1 |

1

Jamaica

153-11 88th Avenue

$2,650 base rent

Studio |

1

Ridgewood

56-34 Myrtle Avenue

$2,650 base rent

2 |

1

Ridgewood

1851 Cornelia Street

$2,995 base rent

1 |

1.5

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

419 East 135th Street

$2,488 base rent

2 |

1

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,328 base rent

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,895 base rent

2 |

1

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,895 base rent

2 |

1

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,324 base rent

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,458 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

228 East 135th Street

$2,467 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

2385 3rd Avenue

$2,195 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

91 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,962 base rent

2 |

2

North New York

91 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,974 base rent

2 |

1

Mott Haven

310 Grand Concourse

$2,399 base rent

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

310 Grand Concourse

$2,599 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.}