First Timer’s Guide to Renting in NYC

Apartment hunting in New York City is completely different from renting almost anywhere else in the U.S. When my husband and I moved from Asheville, North Carolina to the NYC-metro area, we quickly realized the normal apartment-search process didn’t apply here. Apartments move fast, brokers are common, and you need paperwork ready before you even tour a place.

StreetEasy is Your New BFF

StreetEasy will be your main tool for NYC apartment shopping. Zillow & Apartments.com are more likely to have scam listings. You can use these sites too but be vigilant of deals that seem too good to be true.

Leasing offices are not common. You will likely work with individual brokers to set up showing times for apartments. In the south, we were so used to walking into a complex without prior notice and being able to tour the same day.

Touring the Apartments

Know the neighborhood you want to live in before setting up apartment viewings. If you have only a weekend visit to find a place, it will be much easier to search within a smaller area than trying to travel all across the city.

Consider your commute & proximity to public transit. If you are going to be working in an office or another location outside of your home, consider how long it will take to get there. Just because it looks close on a map does not mean it will be a short commute. If you were to live in Williamsburg but work in Downtown Brooklyn your commute might take minimum 45 minutes even though you might only be 2.5 miles away.

Bring your own measuring tape. You likely won’t know the square footage of the apartment you are renting. Likely due to the volume and speed in which apartments rent, brokers don’t take the time to measure most places. If you want to know if your furniture will fit, you may need to measure for yourself.

Apartments Move Fast

Apartments rent quickly. Someone may apply for the apartment before you even get to view it. People will sign for apartments sight unseen.

You typically shop for apartments within 30 days of your desired move in date. However, landlords/rental companies typically want a 60-90 day notice. You may not get the luxury of knowing where you are going to live next before giving notice.

You need to have your sh*t together. Like I said, apartments rent quickly so if you find a place that suits your needs you should have all of your documents (photo ID, proof of income, employment verification, leasing history, bank statements) ready to go for the application.

Renting in NYC is Expensive

You (and whoever you might be renting with) must meet a combined income of at least 40x the monthly rent cost or else you will need a guarantor. Ex. If rent = $3500/mo then you will need to provide proof that you make $140K/yr. If you need a guarantor, they will need to provide the same documents and have income that is 80x the monthly rent cost.

Your deposit will likely be the price of 1-month rent although this can depend on the company and your credit-worthiness. If you aren’t used to big city rent this can feel pretty painful having to effectively pay 2 months worth of rent upfront.

Take a Deep Breath

Apartment hunting in NYC can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’re moving from a smaller city where the rental process is slower and more flexible. Once you understand how quickly apartments move and what documents you need prepared, the process becomes much more manageable. Good luck, you’ve got this!