Everything you need to know about finding an apartment, understanding your rights, researching buildings, and navigating New York City's rental market.
Check violations, landlord history, and building scores for free.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in New York City. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
New to renting in NYC? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
Find the best neighborhoods in NYC for your budget. Compare average rents, transit access, and quality of life.
New to NYC? Start here to learn the basics of apartment hunting.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in New York City. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
12 min readNew to renting in NYC? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
14 min readDon't sign a lease without asking these critical questions. Protect yourself from surprises.
7 min readComplete guide for relocating to New York City. Budget, timeline, neighborhoods, and tips from locals.
15 min readDecode NYC apartment types: studio, alcove, junior 4, railroad, flex. What do they all mean?
8 min readKnow your legal protections as an NYC renter.
A comprehensive guide to tenant rights in New York City. From repairs to eviction protections.
15 min readLearn what rent stabilization means, how to check if your apartment qualifies, and what protections it provides.
10 min readUnderstand your rights when your lease is up. Renewal terms, rent increases, and negotiation strategies.
9 min readKnow your rights regarding heat and hot water. Learn what to do if your landlord doesn't comply.
6 min readNeed to break your lease early? Learn your options, potential costs, and how to negotiate.
10 min readYour rights when your landlord wants to raise rent. Negotiation strategies, legal limits, and when increases are illegal.
12 min readLearn how to research any building before you rent.
The essential checklist for researching any NYC building before you sign. Avoid problem landlords.
10 min readUnderstand what HPD violations mean, how they're classified, and why they matter when choosing an apartment.
8 min readUnderstand the true costs of renting in NYC.
Understanding broker fees, recent law changes, and how to find no-fee apartments.
7 min readEverything about security deposits in NYC, including limits, timelines, and getting your money back.
8 min readDon't meet income requirements? Learn about personal guarantors, Insurent, TheGuarantors, and alternatives.
9 min readProtect yourself from rental fraud and scams.
Compare building quality, violation rates, and scores across every NYC neighborhood and borough.
You'll typically need first month's rent, security deposit (max 1 month), and potentially a broker fee (usually 15% of annual rent). Most landlords require income of 40x monthly rent. For a $2,500/month apartment, expect $5,000-10,000 upfront and annual income of $100,000.
Read our First-Time Renter Guide →Rent stabilization is a NYC program that limits rent increases and provides strong tenant protections. It typically applies to buildings built before 1974 with 6+ units. Rent-stabilized tenants have the right to lease renewal and capped annual rent increases.
Read our Rent Stabilization Guide →You can check HPD violations for free on StreetSmart by searching any NYC address. We show the complete violation history, landlord information, and building quality scores.
NYC tenants have extensive rights including: the right to livable conditions (heat, hot water, no pests), protection from illegal eviction, security deposit limits (max 1 month), right to repairs, and protection from discrimination and harassment.
Read our Complete Tenant Rights Guide →Since 2019, the maximum security deposit in NYC is one month's rent. Landlords cannot charge more, regardless of your credit history. The deposit must be held in an interest-bearing account at a New York bank.
Read our Security Deposit Guide →All information in this guide is based on official NYC data and regulations. StreetSmart aggregates data from multiple city agencies to give you the most complete picture of any building.
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