No-Fee Apartments • Gravesend, Brooklyn

No-Fee Apartments in Gravesend, Brooklyn (2026)

Since June 11, 2025, the FARE Act (NYC Local Law 119 of 2024) bars a landlord's broker, including the agent who posted the listing, from charging you a fee. You pay a broker only if you hire your own, and landlords must disclose every fee you have to pay before you sign. Gravesend scores 7/10 on DwellCheck's livability index (#3 of 28 Brooklyn neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data), with 6 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries.

Gravesend at a glance

Livability
7/10
Subway stations (in neighborhood)
6
Borough rank (NYC Open Data guides)
#3/28

Gravesend scores 7 composite on transit and parks, though 6 shootings lower its safety verdict.

What to look for in a no-fee apartment in Gravesend

Gravesend has a specific housing profile that affects your no-fee search. Its practical score is 8/10 (HPD housing violations per residential lot, higher = fewer), and the most common residential building class is two-family (45% of residential tax lots in NYC's PLUTO data). These are the considerations that matter most here:

  • •Under the FARE Act (NYC Local Law 119 of 2024), the landlord's agent and the listing agent can't charge you a fee
  • •No one can require you to hire a broker to rent an apartment
  • •If you hire your own broker, the fee is whatever you agree to in writing
  • •Landlords must disclose every fee you have to pay before you sign the lease
  • •Watch for charges that replace a broker fee under different names

How to verify a no-fee listing

Listings often over-promise on amenities. Before you sign a lease for a claimed no-fee apartment in Gravesend, run through this verification checklist:

  • ✓Get the landlord's list of every fee in writing before signing any application
  • ✓Ask directly who the agent works for — the landlord or you
  • ✓Refuse any background or credit check fee above $20 (New York State cap)
  • ✓Check if the apartment is listed directly by management or through an intermediary
  • ✓Compare the asking rent with similar apartments to spot costs moved into the rent

Want a deeper dive? Read our full How to Find an Apartment in NYC guide.

About Gravesend, Brooklyn

You'll find a large residential area of two-family and one-family houses: two-family houses are 45% of residential tax lots, one-family 24% and walk-ups 22%. DwellCheck measures Gravesend over its three 2020 NTAs, Gravesend (West), Gravesend (South) and Gravesend (East)-Homecrest. Transit is strong, with six subway stations on the D, F and N: 25 Av and Bay 50 St (D), Avenue U (F, N), 86 St (N), and Avenue P and Avenue X (F). Commute scores 8.5/10. There are 17 NYC Parks properties inside it, among them McDonald Playground, Kelly Park Playground and the Old Gravesend Cemetery; Lady Moody Triangle is the nearest to the center, 414m away. On crime, Gravesend has a lower crime rate per resident than 83% of Brooklyn neighborhoods, but 6 shootings in 12 months lower DwellCheck's verdict to higher than average.

Gravesend scores 7/10 overall on DwellCheck's livability index, ranking #3 of 28 Brooklyn neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data. Rent prices in Gravesend vary widely; check specific listings for current market rates. DwellCheck lists 6 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries for Gravesend, including 25 Av, Bay 50 St, Avenue U.

A typical 200m circle in Gravesend holds about 158 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 4.5/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Gravesend: McDonald Playground, Kelly Park Playground, Police Officer John G. Scarangella Park. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Lady Moody Triangle, about 414m.

Subway stations in Gravesend

25 AvDBay 50 StDAvenue UF/N86 StNAvenue PFAvenue XF

Who Gravesend is best for

Subway commuters

Commute scores 8.5/10 against a borough median of 5.5, with stations on the D, F and N.

Families in houses

Two-family (45%) and one-family (24%) houses lead the residential tax lots, and Practical scores 8/10 against a borough median of 7.5.

People who want parks nearby

Outdoor scores 6.5/10 against a Brooklyn median of 5.9, with 17 NYC Parks properties inside the neighborhood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I know about finding a no-fee place in Gravesend?

Gravesend pricing varies by block and building. Gravesend ranks #3 of 28 Brooklyn neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data on livability (7/10). Known for colonial-era town square and kings highway shopping, Gravesend has a rental market where no-fee options depend heavily on building era and management. Gravesend scores 7 composite on transit and parks, though 6 shootings lower its safety verdict.

How much should I expect to pay in Gravesend?

Pricing in Gravesend varies widely by block, building age, and floor. Brooklyn is a large borough with significant rent variation — always compare at least 3-4 listings before committing.

Is Gravesend actually a good fit for someone looking for a no-fee apartment?

Depends on your priorities. Gravesend scores 8/10 on practical (HPD housing violations per residential lot, higher = fewer) and 8.5/10 on commute (subway stations and lines inside the neighborhood). It tends to work best for subway commuters. The no-fee inventory specifically depends on building stock, which you can verify address by address.

How do I get around from Gravesend?

DwellCheck lists 6 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries, including 25 Av (D) and Bay 50 St (D). The commute score is 8.5/10 (subway stations and lines inside the neighborhood); it is not a travel time, so check the trip to your own destination.

What about safety in Gravesend?

Block-by-block variation is significant — two addresses a quarter mile apart can have very different safety profiles. Brooklyn averages 321.2 reported incidents per 300m radius and 1.2 shooting incidents per 500m. The only way to know for a specific address is to check the NYPD data within a walking radius.

Are there parks or green space near Gravesend?

A typical 200m circle in Gravesend holds about 158 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 4.5/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Gravesend: McDonald Playground, Kelly Park Playground, Police Officer John G. Scarangella Park. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Lady Moody Triangle, about 414m. The outdoor score is 6.5/10. There is some green space, though it is not the area's strongest feature.

What is the building stock like in Gravesend?

By NYC's PLUTO tax-lot data, Gravesend's residential lots are 45% two-family, 24% one-family, 22% walk-up apartments (14,911 residential lots in all). Check the DOB Certificate of Occupancy for any specific building before signing.

Check a specific Gravesend address

Neighborhood averages are a starting point. Every NYC apartment building has unique violations, complaint history, and livability characteristics. Enter any address for a block-level analysis.

Check a Gravesend address →