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How to Find a No-Fee Apartment in Staten Island
Staten Island is NYC's most residential borough — more suburban in feel, with some of the largest apartments and lowest rents in the city. Most landlords here rent directly, making it one of the easiest boroughs to avoid broker fees entirely.
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 Staten Island 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 Staten Island
Looking for a specific bedroom count? Browse no-fee apartments by size:
No-Fee Apartments in Staten Island: FAQ
Are there really no-fee apartments in Staten Island?
Yes. No-fee apartments exist throughout Staten Island — they are units listed directly by landlords or building management, with no broker in the middle and no broker fee owed.
How much can I save by renting a no-fee apartment in Staten Island?
A typical NYC broker fee equals one month's rent or 15% of the annual rent. On a $3,000/month apartment that is $3,000 to $5,400 you pay nothing when you rent directly through NFNY in Staten Island.
Do I need a broker to rent an apartment in Staten Island?
No. Many Staten Island landlords and buildings rent directly to tenants. Going directly to the building or using a direct-listing platform like NFNY lets you rent without a broker and without a broker fee.
Which Staten Island neighborhoods can I search for no-fee apartments?
NFNY lists no-fee apartments across Staten Island neighborhoods including St. George, New Springville, Tottenville, Stapleton. Browse any neighborhood on NFNY to see its current no-fee listing count.