NYC Housing Support

Best websites to find a New York apartment without a broker’s fee

Find a NYC apartment without the monumental fees:

1. StreetEasy , Zumper and RentHop 

Though there are a ton of apartments with broker’s fee in these popular sites—StreetEasy ,  Zumper and RentHop —they all offer the option to search specifically for no-fee listings.  

2. Lease Break 

Lease Break was dedicated solely to helping tenants finding a person to take over their lease; but now, the free site also offers short-term rentals (up to 12 months), shares, and sublets. The site has the option to search only for no-fee listings: According to its website, more than 60 percent of the apartments listed are no fee.

3. NYBits

Like other rental aggregators, NYBits offers the option to search no-fee apartments across New York. At NYBits, however, there’s a much higher inventory of no-fee options. And what makes this site really unique is its directory of buildings and property managers. Oftentimes, the best way to bypass the broker is to go straight to the source—that is, the landlord. Through NYBits, renters can search through a long list of them, and the site will show you what no-fee apartments they’re offering and who to specifically contact about living there.

4. The Listing Project 

This popular Listserv began as Stephanie Diamond’s personal email list for artists to exchange information on cheap spaces to live and work. Today, the project covers all five boroughs of New York (and it has even expanded to more than 70 countries and across the U.S.) rounding up offerings every week that include apartments for rent, sublets, and shares. It’s pretty straightforward: anyone can sign up to receive email, which arrives on Wednesdays. You can then contact individuals through the Listings Project email to inquire about spaces and opportunities.

5. Craigslist 

Yes, Craigslist is known for being littered with all-caps listings, sad and weird apartments, and more than a few scams. But don’t rule it out entirely; it does allow you the options to search "all no-fee apartments" and "by-owner apartments" only, eliminating any listings requiring a broker’s fee. But prepare to spend your days searching for a diamond in the rough—meaning listings with real photos, full descriptions, and prices that seem fair for the market.

UPDATED ON 08/26/22