Browse Queens Neighborhoods
How to Find a No-Fee Apartment in Queens
Queens is NYC's most diverse borough and one of the best sources of no-fee apartment value in the city. With multiple subway lines connecting it to Midtown and Downtown Manhattan, neighborhoods like Astoria, Jackson Heights, and Long Island City are increasingly popular with renters going direct.
1. Go directly to the building
The single most effective way to avoid a broker fee is to contact the building's management office directly. Large rental buildings in Queens almost always have a leasing office that handles inquiries without involving a broker.
2. Use NFNY — not StreetEasy broker listings
StreetEasy mixes broker listings with direct listings. If a listing shows "fee," a broker is involved and you'll owe them — typically one month's rent. NFNY only shows no-fee listings placed directly by landlords.
3. Watch for bait-and-switch
A common broker tactic: list an attractive apartment online, get your call, then steer you to a different unit — claiming to now be your "tenant's broker" for that unit. If you contact a building directly through NFNY, this risk disappears entirely.
4. Understand "no-fee" vs "LL pays"
Some listings advertised as "no-fee" mean "the landlord pays the broker fee." That's not the same as going direct — the broker is still involved, and you may still owe a fee if you came in through that broker, even at a "no-fee" building. Going direct through NFNY eliminates the broker from the equation entirely.
Browse by Apartment Size in Queens
Looking for a specific bedroom count? Browse no-fee apartments by size: