You should start your search around 30–45 days before your ideal move-in date; however, most landlords will want prospective tenants to start their leases for vacant units within two weeks of the application date. That being said, the more you look, the more knowledgeable you will become, enabling you to make quick decisions in the moment.
Apartments rent fast in New York City, and having your documents in order will help you act quickly when you’ve found the right place.
Make sure you have the following at the ready before you start looking:
Proof of employment letter printed on company
letterhead and signed by a company
representative stating position, start date,
length of employment, salary, and
opportunities for bonuses.
Landlords typically require tenants’ combined
annual salaries to equal or exceed 40x–50x the
monthly rent.
If you do not meet this requirement,
many landlords accept guarantors, a third party
who is willing to guarantee the entire rent and
other provisions in the lease in case the tenants
are unable to fulfill their obligation. Guarantors
need to provide the same application support
documents as you do. It is usually expected that
guarantors are US citizens and earn an annual
salary of at least 70x–80x the monthly rent.
Or 6 months proof of rent payments from previous landlord.
Must be government-issued and not expired, including a driver’s license or passport.
Proof of employment letter printed on company letterhead and signed by a company
representative stating position, start date, length of employment, salary, and opportunities for bonuses.
Or 6 months proof of rent payments from previous landlord.
Must be government-issued and not expired, including a driver’s license or passport.
Provided by the landlord’s representative, this form usually allows the landlord’s
representative or broker to run a credit check on you.
Proof of employment letter printed on company
letterhead and signed by a company
representative stating position, start date,
length of employment, salary, and
opportunities for bonuses.
Landlords typically require tenants’ combined
annual salaries to equal or exceed 40x–50x the
monthly rent. If you do not meet this requirement,
many landlords accept guarantors, a third party
who is willing to guarantee the entire rent and
other provisions in the lease in case the tenants
are unable to fulfill their obligation. Guarantors
need to provide the same application support
documents as you do. It is usually expected that
guarantors are US citizens and earn an annual
salary of at least 70x–80x the monthly rent.
Or 6 months proof of rent payments from previous landlord.
Must be government-issued and not expired, including a driver’s license or passport.
Allow 24–48 hours for the landlord to review your applications. If you are approved, lease signings typically occur within the next 24 to 48 hours at either the broker or management company’s office.
Should include:
• First month’s rent
• 1 month security
• Broker fee (if applicable)
Applications are a two-step process; approval from both the apartment owner and the condo board must be granted.
The entire condo application process, from initial application to final board approval, can take anywhere from
a few days to several weeks and, in some cases, may require an in-person interview.
This can be an extensive process taking anywhere from 30-60 days to complete. On top of providing rent, security, and broker fee payments, expect move-in and move-out deposits, higher application fees, digital submission fees, etc. Fees will vary from building to building.
In order to rent in NYC, most landlords will require the following.
Please have everything ready to go in PDF format for easy forwarding, screenshots are oftentimes not accepted. If you’re using a guarantor they’ll most likely need to provide some if not all of the same supporting documentation.
• Most recent Tax Forms (1040’s) - or CPA letter verifying income + 2 years of tax returns if self-employed.
• Official Letter of Employment stating position, length of employment, salary and bonuses (if any)
• Official School Transcripts (if student)
• 2 most recent Bank Statements
• 2-4 most recent Pay Stubs
• Photo ID
• 6 Months proof of rent payments or landlord reference letter
• $20 Application Fee1st month's rent
• First Month’s Rent
• One Month Security Deposit
• Broker Fee (if applicable)
Proof of employment letter printed on company letterhead and signed by a company
representative stating position, start date, length of employment, salary, and opportunities for bonuses.
Or 6 months proof of rent payments from previous landlord.
Must be government-issued and not expired, including a driver’s license or passport.
Provided by the landlord’s representative, this form usually allows the landlord’s
representative or broker to run a credit check on you.
Most recent Tax Forms (1040’s) - or CPA letter verifying income + 2 years of tax returns if self-employed.
Official Letter of Employment stating position, length of employment, salary and bonuses (if any)
Official School Transcripts (if student)
2 most recent Bank Statements
2-4 most recent Pay Stubs
Photo ID
6 Months proof of rent payments or landlord reference letter
1st month's rent
Security deposit = 1 month's rent
App Fee = $20 per person
Broker Fee = Varies on listing, sometimes no fee, other times 8.3-15% of the annualized rent.
Once you are approved, you must secure the apartment by signing the lease and paying
the applicable fees. Payment at least-signing, in the form of a certified check or money order, typically include:
If a tenant is being represented by a broker and it is a no-fee listing, the broker can collect his/her own
fee directly from the tenant (these are called CYOF, or cover your own fee listings).
-First month’s rent
-Security deposit equal to 1 months rent
-Broker and/or co-broker’s fee
These fees are generally higher than the fees for a rental building.
In addition to the rent, security and broker fee amounts stated above, condo and co-ops fees may include:
-Move-in fee of $1000 (This is often refundable after move-in)
- Application fee of $250–300
-Managing agent fee of $250–400
There are two options if you are relocating from overseas. You can use a US-based personal guarantor that earns 80x the rent that is willing to sign onto your lease. Or you can pay a 3rd party guarantor company such as Insurent or The Guarantors to sign on. This typically costs about 1 month’s rent over a 12 month lease.
Not every building will accept 3rd party guarantors, so we’ll need to be targeted in what buildings we view.
Not all buildings accept pets, and some even have weight and breed restrictions.
We’ll be sure to target buildings that are welcoming to your little companion.
I've been helping renters find their place in New York City since 2013, with over 500 successful transactions across every neighborhood in Manhattan, and parts of Brooklyn and Queens. Whether you’re relocating or just looking for a smoother experience, I’m here to make the process as efficient and stress-free as possible.
I bring a deep understanding of the city’s rental market, and I focus on keeping things organized, streamlined, and enjoyable. My goal is to save you time, help you move forward confidently, and make sure you land exactly where you’re meant to be.
