How hard can it be to rent out a no fee ferchristsake

September 2, 2009 4:35 PM

Where do you search for an apt in NYC?

I'm looking to rent out my apt in NYC by owner, no fee. I've signed up with Craigslist, but have been out of the market for so long I no longer know where else people check. So, where is it the kids are rental hunting these days?

posted by cestmoi15 to Home & Garden (12 answers total)

Best answer: craigslist.
posted by shownomercy at 4:50 PM on September 2, 2009

Oh and I don't mean to be snarky. I don't know anyone who uses anything but (excluding word of mouth and home buyers).
posted by shownomercy at 4:51 PM on September 2, 2009

I had a broker rent out my apartments (who also checked references and wrote up a lease). The broker was paid by the renter.
posted by Obscure Reference at 5:09 PM on September 2, 2009

Brokers are the worst human beings in NYC and I refuse to give them any of my business. Craigslist is overwhelming but an efficient and relatively democratic way of alerting potential renters to your newly available apartment. Tell your friends and co-workers to ask around if any reputable acquaintances are looking to rent as well.
posted by zoomorphic at 5:17 PM on September 2, 2009

Craigslist. Apartments go FAST, so you have to be constantly checking the website.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:17 PM on September 2, 2009

Streeteasy.com
posted by dfriedman at 5:20 PM on September 2, 2009

Best answer: NYU and Columbia (and probably the rest of the area Schools) have off-campus housing offices that collect listings for not just students but faculty and staff as well.
posted by Pineapplicious at 5:20 PM on September 2, 2009

Seriously, don't bother anywhere but Craigslist. The only alternative is brokers, and I agree with the above assessment... brokers are terrible. If you have too many responses to handle, just up the rent...

I've never met anyone who found an apartment through any means but those two.
posted by zvs at 7:01 PM on September 2, 2009

Nobody I have ever met did anything but craigslist.
posted by kdar at 7:26 PM on September 2, 2009 [1 favorite]

When I had a room to rent, I posted on both Craigslist and Facebook, and got more responses from the latter than the former. If you're on Facebook, I highly recommend posting there.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:21 PM on September 2, 2009 [1 favorite]

I'll go against the grain and suggest that going with a broker can be okay, especially if you do not have much time to spend vetting applicants. In this case, look for either brokers familiar with the building (if that's possible - usually larger buildings) or brokers familiar with the neighborhood at your price range. Also, the renter would pay the broker fee in most cases.
posted by 2bucksplus at 6:20 AM on September 3, 2009

Brokers are scum. Craigslist has the most breadth but the truly good deals and owner-listed apartments go quickly. It's not uncommon for an apt to be taken within an hour of being listed.

Best bet: buildings with management companies that have leasing offices. Just walk in and check availability, pay a small credit check or application fee.
posted by chalbe at 7:22 AM on September 3, 2009