There are many online resources to help you find a rental apartment. Depending on your preferences, you can use one of the large apartment aggregators (such as StreetEasy), websites that offer landlord reviews and listings (such as RentHop), or individual brokers who maintain their own sites and may post apartments for rent. Some websites also specialize in connecting roommates or renting furnished apartments. Brick Underground, for example, offers an apartment-search guide, while Curbed New York has a NYC rentals section. In addition, many local government offices and neighborhood groups keep lists of available housing.

To find a rental apartment, you will need to know the maximum monthly payment that fits within your budget, and identify what amenities are most important to you. To narrow your search, you can filter by price, broker fee, square footage, and more. Some aggregators, such as StreetEasy and RentHop, will even let you search for “no fee” apartments, which are those that do not require a real estate agent’s commission.

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If you are able to find an apartment that meets your criteria, be prepared to complete an application and be ready to pay a security deposit (which can be up to one month’s rent), plus the first and last months’ rent. The building owner or management company will likely run a credit check and may ask for a letter from your previous landlord that details your tenancy (and, if applicable, references).

Be sure to visit any potential apartment before signing the lease. This allows you to make sure that it lives up to the listing and also to look for issues such as mold, roaches, and vermin (open closets and cabinets to see). If you are serious about the apartment, be sure to bring a photo ID and enough cash to cover the deposit and fees.