Tenants

FOR RENTERS

THE SEARCH PROCESS

When to Start Your Rental Search
We recommend starting your search 30–45 days before your ideal move-in date. Most landlords want leases to begin within two weeks of application, so timing matters. The more you see, the more confident and prepared you’ll be to move fast when the right place pops up.

What to Have Ready
Apartments in NYC move quickly. Having your paperwork in order can be the difference between landing your dream rental or missing out. Here’s what to prepare:

• Government-issued photo ID (unexpired)

• Employment verification letter or CPA letter (if self-employed)

• Last two pay stubs

• Last two years’ W-2s and tax returns

• Two most recent bank statements

• Landlord application form (we’ll help you with this!)

• Credit/background check (can be provided by you if within 30 days)

• Reference letters or contact info from past landlords

Financial Requirements
Most landlords require that your annual income equals 40–50x the monthly rent. Don’t meet that threshold? A guarantor—usually a U.S. citizen earning 70–80x the rent—can help secure your lease. They’ll need to provide similar documentation.

FOR RENTERS

Approval and Payment PROCESS

Lease Signing & Fees: What to Expect
Once you're approved, it's time to lock in your new home. That means signing the lease and submitting all required payments—usually by certified check or money order.

For Rental Apartments:
Here’s what’s typically due at signing:

• First month’s rent

• Security deposit (equal to one month’s rent)

• Broker Fee

Our Broker Fee
Our standard fee is 15% of the annual rent. 

Heads Up: FARE Act Took place June 11, 2025
Starting June 11, whoever hires the broker pays the fee. That means:

• If you hire us for your rental search, you pay us our fee, while the landlord pays the agent they hired to represent their rental property

For Condos & Co-ops:
In addition to rent, deposit, and broker fees, condos and co-ops often include extra building fees:

Sample Fees:

• $1,000 move-in fee (often refundable)

• $250–$300 application fee

• $250–$400 managing agent fee