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

Stuyvesant Heights

677 Quincy Street

$2,950 No Fee

3 |

1

Flatbush

572 East 26th Street

$2,900 No Fee

3 |

1

Crown Heights

2075 Pacific Street

$2,400 No Fee

Studio |

1.5

Flatbush

169 Lott Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Prospect Heights

403 Saint John’s Place

$2,895 No Fee

1 |

1

Ocean Hill

82 Somers Street

$2,750 No Fee

3 |

1

Downtown Brooklyn

277 Gold Street

$2,953 No Fee

1 |

1

Downtown Brooklyn

257 Gold Street

$2,848 No Fee

Studio |

1

Downtown Brooklyn

257 Gold Street

$2,911 No Fee

Studio |

1

Downtown Brooklyn

257 Gold Street

$2,616 No Fee

Studio |

1

Crown Heights

931 Carroll Street

$2,417 No Fee

Studio |

1

Weeksville

1656 Saint Johns Place

$1,663 No Fee

1 |

1

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

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

Hudson Yards

407 West 39th Street

$2,650 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Harlem

420 East 102nd Street

$2,583 No Fee

Studio |

1

South Harlem

6 East 116th Street

$2,995 No Fee

2 |

2

East Harlem

228 East 116th Street

$2,150 No Fee

1 |

1

East Harlem

413 East 114th Street

$2,450 No Fee

2 |

1

East Harlem

102 East 116th Street

$1,750 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Harlem

102 East 116th Street

$2,250 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

2186 Fifth Avenue

$2,492 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

148 West 142nd Street

$2,560 No Fee

2 |

1

East Harlem

102 East 103rd Street

$2,950 No Fee

3 |

1

East Harlem

319 East 108th Street

$2,290 No Fee

1 |

1

Central Harlem

128 West 131st Street

$1,950 No Fee

Studio |

1

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

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

Ridgewood

1926 Madison Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

1662 Woodbine Street

$2,699 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

60-55 67th Avenue

$2,800 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

513 Fairview Avenue

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

2

Jamaica

152-09 88th Avenue

$2,150 No Fee

Studio |

1

Jamaica

152-09 88th Avenue

$2,650 No Fee

1 |

1

Hunters Point

49-02 21st Street

$2,350 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

175-45 88th Avenue

$2,975 No Fee

2 |

2

Ridgewood

1930 Palmetto Street

$2,987 No Fee

2 |

1

Ridgewood

854 Onderdonk Avenue

$2,750 No Fee

2 |

1

Jamaica

88-35 164th Street

$1,795 No Fee

1 |

1

Jamaica

147-35 95th Avenue

$2,406 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

462 East 134th Street

$2,200 No Fee

2 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,981 No Fee

2 |

2

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,729 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,446 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,400 No Fee

Studio |

1

Mott Haven

101 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,792 No Fee

2 |

2

Mott Haven

101 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,792 No Fee

2 |

2

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,479 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,209 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,537 No Fee

1 |

1

Mott Haven

276 Grand Concourse

$2,414 No Fee

2 |

1

Mott Haven

40 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,348 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.}