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.
Table of Contents
Top Neighborhoods for No-Fee Apartments
Brooklyn Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Crown Heights
1101 President Street
$2,950No Fee
Studio |
1
Flatbush
1640 Nostrand Avenue
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Flatbush
73 Veronica Place
$2,799No Fee
3 |
1.5
Bushwick
774 Bushwick Avenue
$2,800No Fee
2 |
1
Bushwick
1098 Bushwick Avenue
$2,999No Fee
2 |
1
Crown Heights
901 Washington Avenue
$2,895No Fee
1 |
1
Crown Heights
1052 Dean Street
$2,949No Fee
1 |
1
Midwood
1202 Avenue K
$2,740No Fee
3 |
1
Bushwick
353 Linden Street
$2,000No Fee
1 |
1
Bushwick
635 Bushwick Avenue
$2,100No Fee
Studio |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
407 Chauncey Street
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
194 Malcom X Boulevard
$2,749No Fee
2 |
1
Top Neighborhoods for No-Fee Apartments <$3,000
Manhattan Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
East Harlem
215 East 110th Street
$2,145No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
2166 Fred Douglas Boulevard
$2,300No Fee
1 |
1
Central Harlem
25 West 126th Street
$1,900No Fee
Studio |
1
East Harlem
190 East 104th Street
$2,875No Fee
1 |
1
Central Harlem
66 West 138th Street
$2,475No Fee
1 |
1
Central Harlem
48 West 138th Street
$2,100No Fee
Studio |
1
East Harlem
344 East 116th Street
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
East Harlem
311 East 109th Street
$2,350No Fee
2 |
1
Central Harlem
229 West 136th Street
$2,099No Fee
Studio |
1
Fulton/Seaport
88 Fulton Street
$2,769No Fee
Studio |
1
East Harlem
311 East 109th Street
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
East Harlem
2211 Third Avenue
$2,683No Fee
Studio |
1
Top Neighborhoods for No-Fee Apartments $3,000+
Queens Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Ridgewood
18-30 Stephen Street
$2,700No Fee
2 |
1
Ridgewood
2026 Bleecker Street
$2,900No Fee
2 |
1
Jamaica
88-36 139th Street
$2,375No Fee
Studio |
1
Ridgewood
460 Seneca Avenue
$2,999No Fee
1 |
1
Ridgewood
67-12 64 Place
$2,900No Fee
3 |
1
Jamaica
88-36 139th Street
$2,815No Fee
1 |
1
Jamaica
88-36 139th Street
$1,946No Fee
Studio |
1
Ridgewood
682 Seneca Avenue
$2,900No Fee
1 |
1
Ridgewood
1708 Summerfield Avenue
$2,400No Fee
2 |
1
Long Island City
37-14 36th Street
$2,778No Fee
Studio |
1
Long Island City
36-20 Steinway Street
$2,908No Fee
Studio |
1
Jamaica
152-11 89th Avenue
$2,550No Fee
1 |
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 StreetEasyArticle continues below
Mott Haven
126 Alexander Avenue
$2,750No Fee
Studio |
1
North New York
429 East 141st Street
$2,600No Fee
2 |
1
Mott Haven
112 Lincoln Avenue
$2,450No Fee
Studio |
1
Mott Haven
112 Lincoln Avenue
$2,600No Fee
1 |
1
Mott Haven
276 Grand Concourse
$2,917No Fee
2 |
2
Mott Haven
276 Grand Concourse
$2,519No Fee
1 |
1
Mott Haven
276 Grand Concourse
$2,337No Fee
Studio |
1
Mott Haven
276 Grand Concourse
$2,365No Fee
1 |
1
Mott Haven
276 Grand Concourse
$2,232No Fee
1 |
1
Mott Haven
276 Grandconcourse
$1,998No Fee
Studio |
1
Mott Haven
276 Grand Concourse
$2,474No Fee
Studio |
1
Mott Haven
276 Grand Concourse
$2,337No 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.