You don’t get a lot of square footage in Manhattan, New York, for the expensive prices you pay, but what’s worse is broker fees. You’ll have to pay an agent a broker’s fee of approximately 12 to 15 percent of a year’s rent if you hire one to help you. Fortunately, there are ways to find apartment rentals without fees in Manhattan, New York.
1. Craigslist
It’s worth your time to look for apartment rentals with no fees on Craigslist. There are filters you can turn on to find what you’re looking for. It’s easier for independent owners to upload pictures and write a description on Craigslist than it is for them to work with a broker or a larger website.
Be careful on Craigslist. Try to avoid scams. You should be cautious of anyone asking you to wire money, and you shouldn’t wire any. You shouldn’t reply to a listing that doesn’t have any photos.
2. Rent Direct New York
RDNY guarantees that all of its listings on its website have no broker fees. Unfortunately, using this website isn’t free. It’ll cost you $79 for 90 days of service. You’ll want to use the alert feature to be aware of new listings. The rentals on the website get renters quickly. The website offers email and phone support.
3. Urban Edge
Urban Edge is a free website to look for apartment rentals with no fees. You don’t have to create an account to look at the listings. Listings are required to be frequently updated. They’ll be deleted from the website if they aren’t.
4. Listings Project
Listings Project has significantly grown over the years. The listings on the website include traditional apartments, rooms for rent, sublets, swaps, offices, event spaces and more. There are 300 new listings every week.
5. Joinery
Joinery connects current tenants who’re moving out of their rentals with people who’re looking for apartments with no fees. The current tenants who’re moving out of their current rental receive a finder’s fee when they find new tenants. The finder’s fee can’t be over half of the cost of the monthly rent. Joinery’s fee is less than one percent of the annual rent.
6. Room Zoom
Room Zoom is an app that matches roommates based on questions about budget, lifestyle and personality. The app creates a ranked list of possible matches, and they’re encouraged to communicate with each other.
7. Social Media
Using social media can be an excellent way to find what you’re looking for. A friend or family member may be able to find you an apartment with no fees or recommend a place.
8. Naked Apartments
You’ll be able to find apartment rentals with no fees using Naked Apartments, and you’ll need to filter your results to find them. All of the listings on the website are legitimate. The website checks licensing information, utility bills and public records.
9. Final Thoughts
Using these websites and apps are a great way to find apartment rentals with no fees in the city. If you’re unable to find an apartment that you want to rent, it’s in your best interest to continue your search. Try to use these resources each day for weeks or months until you find a place that you want to rent. You’ll be saving thousands of dollars a year by doing so.