Apartment hunting in New York City can be complicated thanks to NYC real estate-specific jargon. One such term you’ve likely come across is “no-fee apartment.” What does that mean? Well, using a broker to help you find a rental is standard ― but it’s not free. Typically, someone has to pay for the broker’s services, and in NYC, who pays that fee can vary from apartment to apartment. Here’s everything you need to know about no-fee apartments in NYC.

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

Inwood

50 Seaman Avenue

$1,950 base rent

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Murray Hill

5 Tudor City Place

$2,595 base rent

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Carnegie Hill

1267 Park Avenue

$2,349 base rent

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2

Manhattan Valley

201 West 109th Street

$2,795 base rent

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1

Washington Heights

421 West 162nd Street

$2,350 base rent

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Sutton Place

1066 Second Avenue

$2,750 base rent

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1

East Harlem

344 East 116th Street

$2,795 base rent

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Washington Heights

141 Wadsworth Avenue

$2,700 base rent

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1

Fort George

64 Hillside Avenue

$2,200 base rent

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East Harlem

2006 Second Avenue

$2,250 base rent

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East Village

717 East Fifth Street

$2,750 base rent

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Central Harlem

150 West 140th Street

$1,800 base rent

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What Is a No-Fee Apartment Listing?

When searching for a place, you’ll likely come across apartment listings that loudly declare “no fee!” You’ll also encounter many listings that don’t. So what’s the difference? 

In very basic terms, a no-fee apartment is an apartment where the tenant doesn’t pay a commission or broker fee. But, like so many things in NYC real estate, there’s more to know.

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

Midwood

1202 Avenue K

$2,490 base rent

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Bedford-Stuyvesant

479 Classon Avenue

$2,690 base rent

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Brownsville

208 Grafton Street

$2,100 base rent

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Stuyvesant Heights

254 Vernon Avenue

$2,900 base rent

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Bensonhurst

1779 81st Street

$2,195 base rent

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Flatbush

144 Woodruff Avenue

$2,700 base rent

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Midwood

1360 Ocean Avenue

$2,200 base rent

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East Flatbush

977 East 34th Street

$2,919 base rent

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Crown Heights

2175 Bergen Street

$2,514 base rent

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Midwood

1119 Ocean Parkway

$1,850 base rent

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Stuyvesant Heights

551A Kosciusko Street

$2,999 base rent

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Windsor Terrace

20 Terrace Place

$2,600 base rent

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What’s the Difference Between Broker Fees and Commissions?

“The terms ‘broker fee’ and ‘commission’ are interchangeable,” says Becki Danchik, a StreetEasy Expert and broker with Coldwell Banker Warburg. “It’s the fee a broker earns on completing a transaction in which they match the right person with the right property. A no-fee apartment is typically when the landlord has agreed to pay that fee to the exclusive listing agent on behalf of the tenant.” A landlord will usually do this in the hope of securing a tenant quickly, she explains.

Landlords Have Brokers

Keep in mind, though, that “no fee” applies only to the landlord’s broker, also known as the listing agent, and landlords are not required to cover that cost (more on this shortly). Here’s how it works: if you approach an apartment’s listing agent directly and secure the no-fee apartment on your own, then great — you don’t pay a fee! But if you enlisted the services of a broker (who is not the listing agent), and you found that apartment through that broker, you owe them their commission, whether the apartment says “no fee” or not.

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

Forest Hills

100-25 Queens Boulevard

$2,300 base rent

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Kew Gardens

83-60 118th Street

$2,350 base rent

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Rego Park

64-85 Saunders Street

$1,900 base rent

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Jackson Heights

34-34 77th Street

$2,250 base rent

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Elmhurst

90-32 53rd Avenue

$2,100 base rent

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Maspeth

52-58 68th Street

$2,200 base rent

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Rego Park

93-54 Queens Boulevard

$2,975 base rent

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Sunnyside

43-31 45th Street

$2,675 base rent

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Kew Gardens

85-18 118th Street

$2,175 base rent

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Sunnyside

47-32 41st Street

$2,756 base rent

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Kew Gardens

116-24 Grosvenor Lane

$2,250 base rent

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Woodhaven

87-05 89th Avenue

$2,000 base rent

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What Is a Broker Fee?

Now that you understand the definition of no-fee apartment, you’d probably like to know how apartments with fees work. In short, renters who use a broker to find an apartment have to pay a broker fee. If you hire a broker who successfully finds you an apartment, they’ll earn an agreed-upon commission on the deal.

How Much Are Broker Fees for Renters?

The cost varies by broker and area. For instance, fees charged for Manhattan rentals may be more expensive than units in Queens, which has a lower median asking rent. Broker fees are somewhat negotiable, but generally, it’s either one month’s rent or up to 15% of the unit’s annual rent. That’s on top of paying your first month’s rent and security deposit. FYI: your security deposit can’t be more than one month’s rent.

Wait, Weren’t Broker Fee Abolished?

New York State changed the broker fee regulations with the Statewide Housing Security & Tenant Protection Act of 2019. The guidance issued stated that a prospective tenant can’t compensate a landlord’s agent (aka listing agent). It would have been a substantial cost-saving measure for future renters ― but a judge struck it down in April 2021, ruling that the state misinterpreted the act. 

Sample Move-In Costs with a Broker’s Fee

Property owners or management companies will often ask for first month’s rent and a security deposit, in addition to the broker’s fee, before you can move in to a new apartment. Here is the estimated cost breakdown for a $3,799/month (NYC’s median asking rent as of July 2023 — to see the latest median asking rent for a particular neighborhood, visit our StreetEasy Data Dashboard) apartment with a 12 percent broker’s fee (percentage of total annual cost) — before even moving in!

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

Hoboken

417 Adams Street

$2,600 base rent

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Hoboken

253 3rd Street

$2,100 base rent

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Hoboken

407 4th Street

$2,600 base rent

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Hoboken

72 Hudson Street

$2,300 base rent

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Hoboken

155 14th Street

$2,950 base rent

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Hoboken

805 Park Avenue

$2,975 base rent

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Hoboken

127 Garden Street

$2,600 base rent

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Hoboken

533 Monroe Street

$2,650 base rent

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Hoboken

554 Observer Highway

$2,500 base rent

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Hoboken

410 Washington Street

$2,700 base rent

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Hoboken

606 Jefferson Street

$2,500 base rent

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Hoboken

116 Clinton Street

$2,900 base rent

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How to Find a No-Fee Apartment in NYC 

You’ve decided you want to avoid paying a broker fee. Now, 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 apartment options without a broker fee. It will narrow your search to only those units.
• Look for apartments listed by owners or management companies: A management rep is essentially an in-house broker — their goal is to find ideal tenants for their apartments. So, if you contact them directly, there shouldn’t be a fee. Just remember, property management companies rent apartments only in their specific buildings. Brokers, on the other hand, can have access to rentals in a variety of places.
• Walk around the neighborhood: If you know the neighborhood you’re interested in, walk around it to see if buildings have posted listing signs. They should have the landlord or management company’s contact information. Call them and see if there are apartments available or if any are coming up.

Jersey City Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Paulus Hook

270 Luis M Marin Boulevard

$2,200 base rent

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Jersey City

1148 Summit Avenue

$2,400 base rent

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Jersey City

165 Danforth Avenue

$2,800 base rent

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Jersey City

196 Danforth Avenue

$1,999 base rent

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Newport

45 River Dr South

$2,900 base rent

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Jersey City

311-315 Westside Avenue

$2,100 base rent

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Journal Square

201 Tonnelle Avenue

$2,495 base rent

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Paulus Hook

270 Luis M Marin Boulevard

$2,300 base rent

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Bergen/Lafayette

62 5 Atlantic Street

$1,900 base rent

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Bergen/Lafayette

117 Grant Avenue

$2,000 base rent

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Jersey City

173 Webster Avenue

$2,150 base rent

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The Heights

508 Central Avenue

$1,925 base rent

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Do No-Fee Apartments Save You Money?

Surface level, it seems that no-fee apartments would be less expensive to rent than fee apartments. But there is some debate as to whether no-fee rentals save renters money, particularly when it comes to luxury rentals. Many buildings like these are no-fee, but cost much more per month because they have desirable amenities such as doormen, fitness centers, and outdoor space. It’s also possible that for a no-fee apartment, the broker fee is baked into your rent and you end up paying more per month — but it still saves you on upfront move-in costs.

Whatever you decide, be sure to search for your dream rental on StreetEasy!