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

Lower East Side

150 Orchard Street

$2,695 base rent

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1

Manhattan Valley

7 West 103rd Street

$2,800 base rent

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1

Yorkville

339 East 85th Street

$2,848 base rent

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1

Washington Heights

604 West 162nd Street

$1,990 base rent

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1

Yorkville

337 East 90th Street

$2,800 base rent

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1

Lenox Hill

237 East 59th Street

$2,950 base rent

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1

East Harlem

307 East 104th Street

$2,495 base rent

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1

Hamilton Heights

294 Convent Avenue

$2,750 base rent

2 |

1

Morningside Heights

3111 Broadway

$2,745 base rent

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1

Central Harlem

437 Lenox Avenue

$2,400 base rent

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1

Yorkville

538 East 85th Street

$2,600 base rent

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1

Inwood

557 Academy Street

$1,907 base rent

1 |

1

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

Sheepshead Bay

1913 Avenue Z

$2,500 base rent

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1

Flatbush

1286 New York Avenue

$2,491 base rent

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1

Borough Park

5718 Fort Hamiltn Parkway

$2,300 base rent

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1

Dyker Heights

1272 72nd Street

$2,200 base rent

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1

Bay Ridge

317 80th Street

$2,300 base rent

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1

East New York

2840 Atlantic Avenue

$2,871 base rent

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1

Flatbush

815 Flatbush Avenue

$2,979 base rent

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1

Flatbush

280 Linden Boulevard

$2,280 base rent

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1

Flatbush

1076 Rogers Avenue

$2,999 base rent

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1.5

Bergen Beach

7210 Avenue M

$2,295 base rent

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1

East New York

431 Warwick Street

$2,979 base rent

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2

East Flatbush

805 Midwood Street

$2,595 base rent

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1

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

Corona

102-45 Corona Avenue

$2,063 base rent

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1

Murray Hill (Queens)

34-15 Parsons Boulevard

$2,200 base rent

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1

Flushing

143-45 Sanford Avenue

$1,925 base rent

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1

Murray Hill (Queens)

151-10 35th Avenue

$2,100 base rent

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1

Murray Hill (Queens)

34-15 Parsons Boulevard

$2,550 base rent

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1

Murray Hill (Queens)

34-15 Parsons Boulevard

$2,650 base rent

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1

Flushing

37-33 College Point Boulevard

$2,150 base rent

1 |

1

Astoria

30-75 34th Street

$2,650 base rent

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1

Briarwood

80-09 134th Street

$2,150 base rent

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1

Elmhurst

51-20 Reeder Street

$2,500 base rent

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1

Astoria

29-22 30th Avenue

$2,250 base rent

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1

Woodside

59-16 Woodside Avenue

$2,999 base rent

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1

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

323 Monroe Street

$2,500 base rent

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1

Hoboken

201 Madison Street

$2,400 base rent

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1

Hoboken

710 Jefferson Street

$2,350 base rent

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1

Hoboken

606 Jefferson Street

$2,500 base rent

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1

Hoboken

614 2nd Street

$2,300 base rent

1 |

1

Hoboken

354 1st Street

$2,800 base rent

1 |

1

Hoboken

203 Washington Street

$2,900 base rent

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1

Hoboken

514 Observer Highway

$2,950 base rent

1 |

1

Hoboken

1117 Willow Avenue

$2,675 base rent

1 |

1

Hoboken

1029 Willow Avenue

$2,650 base rent

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1

Hoboken

107 4th Street

$2,400 base rent

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1

Hoboken

324 Monroe Street

$2,750 base rent

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1

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

McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,538 base rent

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1

McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,393 base rent

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1

McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,393 base rent

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1

McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,437 base rent

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1

McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,843 base rent

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1

McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,598 base rent

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1

Bergen/Lafayette

424 Whiton Street

$2,650 base rent

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1

McGinley Square

200 Monticello Avenue

$2,850 base rent

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2

McGinley Square

200 Monticello Avenue

$2,900 base rent

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2

The Heights

44 Sherman Avenue

$2,200 base rent

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1

The Heights

673 Summit Avenue

$2,780 base rent

2 |

1

Bergen/Lafayette

500 Communipaw Avenue

$2,800 base rent

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1

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!