No-Fee Apartments • Dongan Hills, Staten Island
No-Fee Apartments in Dongan Hills, Staten Island (2026)
NYC broker fees typically cost 12-15% of annual rent when paid by the tenant. On a $3,500/month apartment, that is $5,040-$6,300 at lease signing. No-fee apartments shift that cost to the landlord, saving renters thousands. No-fee listings are more common in winter months and in newer luxury buildings. Dongan Hills is known for hillside views and tree-lined streets, among other things.
Dongan Hills at a glance
Neighborhood-specific data unavailable. Showing Staten Island borough averages:
Mid-island hillside residential neighborhood with views of Lower New York Bay, winding tree-lined streets, and an established Italian-American community.
What to look for in a no-fee apartment in Dongan Hills
No-Fee Apartments come with specific considerations that vary by building, landlord, and neighborhood. In Dongan Hills — known for hillside views — these are the factors to prioritize:
- •More common in winter months (December-February) when landlords face vacancies
- •Large management companies (Equity Residential, Related, AvalonBay) often offer no-fee directly
- •Newer luxury buildings frequently waive broker fees to attract tenants
- •The 2024 FARE Act attempted to shift all broker fees legally but enforcement is contested
- •Watch for hidden fees that replace the 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 Dongan Hills, run through this verification checklist:
- ✓Confirm no-fee status in writing before signing any application
- ✓Ask directly who pays the broker fee — landlord or tenant?
- ✓Verify there are no hidden "admin fees" or "application fees" above the $20 legal max
- ✓Check if the apartment is listed directly by management or through an intermediary
- ✓Compare the asking rent to similar broker-fee units to detect rent markups
Want a deeper dive? Read our full How to Find an Apartment in NYC guide.
About Dongan Hills, Staten Island
Mid-island hillside residential neighborhood with views of Lower New York Bay, winding tree-lined streets, and an established Italian-American community.
Dongan Hills is in Staten Island, where the average crime rate is 100 incidents per 300m walking radius and the average noise level is 4 complaints per 100m. Rent prices in Dongan Hills vary widely; check specific listings for current market rates. Dongan Hills transit access varies by block — check any specific address on DwellCheck for walking-distance station data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about finding a no-fee place in Dongan Hills?
Dongan Hills, Staten Island: known for Hillside views and Tree-lined streets. No-Fee Apartments availability varies by building stock — verify any listing against HPD violations, DOB filings, and 311 history before signing.
How much should I expect to pay in Dongan Hills?
Pricing in Dongan Hills varies widely by block, building age, and floor. Staten Island is a large borough with significant rent variation — always compare at least 3-4 listings before committing.
Is Dongan Hills actually a good fit for someone looking for a no-fee apartment?
Dongan Hills could work well depending on your commute needs and budget. The area is known for hillside views, tree-lined streets, italian community, bay views. Verify any listing against building records before signing.
How do I get around from Dongan Hills?
Transit options in Dongan Hills vary by specific block. The Staten Island Railway and ferry are the main transit options.
What about safety in Dongan Hills?
Block-by-block variation is significant — two addresses a quarter mile apart can have very different safety profiles. Staten Island averages 100 reported incidents per 300m radius and 0.5 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 Dongan Hills?
Staten Island has parks and green spaces throughout, but access varies significantly by address. Check the specific block for nearby park access.
What ZIP code covers Dongan Hills?
Dongan Hills falls in 10304 (Stapleton / Dongan Hills).
More apartment types in Dongan Hills
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Check a specific Dongan Hills address
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