Finding an apartment
Do I need a real estate agent or broker to rent an apartment?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
In most of the US, no. Most renters find apartments on their own through listing sites, local groups and management companies. A broker is mainly useful in a few very competitive markets where landlords list through them, or when you have little time and want someone else to set up tours.
Before you work with an agent, ask two questions: who pays them, and how much. In many areas the landlord pays any leasing commission and it costs you nothing. In some cities, notably New York and Boston, renters have often been charged broker fees, and local rules on who pays have been changing, so check the current rules where you are renting.
A good agent can help when:
- You are moving from far away and need someone to tour for you.
- You need a place in a market where most listings go through agents.
- You have an unusual need, such as a large dog or a very specific move date, and want someone to filter options.
Get any fee agreement in writing before you tour with an agent, and never pay a finder's fee just to receive a list of addresses. Paying for a list of rentals that may not exist or may already be taken is an old scam. If you do find a place on your own, you normally owe nothing to an agent you never used.
Want the whole picture? Read How to Find an Apartment in Facebook Housing Groups.