Unlike New York City where broker fees can add $3,000-6,000 to your move-in costs, Philadelphia is largely a no-broker-fee market. Most apartments in Philly don't require a broker fee—one of the many reasons it's more affordable than NYC.
The Good News
90%+ of Philadelphia apartments have no broker fee.
Unlike NYC's 15% broker fee culture, Philadelphia landlords typically handle their own rentals or work with in-house leasing agents whose fees are covered by the landlord.
When You Might See a Broker Fee
While rare, broker fees do exist in certain situations:
Where Broker Fees Sometimes Apply
Some Center City luxury buildings use outside brokers
Very expensive or unusual apartments may have broker involvement
If you hire a relocation company to find you housing
If you specifically hire an agent to help you search
Typical Broker Fees (When They Exist)
- One month's rent — Most common if a fee applies
- Half month's rent — Sometimes for shorter searches
- Flat fee — Some services charge $500-1,500
How to Find No-Fee Apartments
Most Philadelphia apartments are no-fee by default, but here's how to ensure you're not paying unnecessary fees:
Best No-Fee Sources
- Zillow / Trulia / Apartments.com
Direct from landlords and management companies
- Property management websites
Contact Post Brothers, PMC, etc. directly
- Craigslist (verify carefully)
Many owner-direct listings, but watch for scams
- Facebook Marketplace / Groups
Direct from owners, sublets
- Walk around neighborhoods
"For Rent" signs often mean direct from landlord
Philadelphia vs. NYC
| Factor | Philadelphia | NYC |
|---|---|---|
| Broker fees common? | ❌ Rare | ✓ Very common |
| Typical fee | $0 (usually) | 15% of annual rent |
| Fee on $1,800/mo | $0 | $3,240 |
| Who pays? | Usually landlord | Usually tenant |
Other Fees to Watch For
While broker fees are rare, there are other fees you might encounter:
Common Philadelphia Rental Fees
Tips for Saving Money
- Search directly — Use listing sites, not agents
- Ask if there's a fee — Confirm before viewing
- Contact management companies directly — Skip the middleman
- Walk neighborhoods — Find "For Rent" signs
- Time it right — Winter months have better deals
- Negotiate — Ask for waived application fees or free parking