No-Fee Apartments • Great Kills, Staten Island
No-Fee Apartments in Great Kills, Staten Island (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. Great Kills scores 6.5/10 on DwellCheck's livability index (#3 of 15 Staten Island neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data), with 2 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries.
Great Kills at a glance
Great Kills scores a median 6.5—a solid neighborhood for tree-seeking families who drive, but transit limitations temper appeal for those prioritizing walkability or frequent Manhattan commutes.
What to look for in a no-fee apartment in Great Kills
Great Kills has a specific housing profile that affects your no-fee search. Its practical score is 9/10 (HPD housing violations per residential lot, higher = fewer), and the most common residential building class is one-family (74% 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 Great Kills, 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 Great Kills, Staten Island
Great Kills is a residential waterfront neighborhood where you'll find tree-lined streets—averaging 183 trees within a 200-meter radius with a tree density of 6.4/10—and a quiet, suburban feel anchored by marina access and beach proximity. You'll have five parks within roughly a kilometer on average, including King Fisher Park and the specialized Seaside Wildlife Nature Park. The building stock splits evenly between walk-ups and mid-rise structures, creating a mixed but predominantly low-rise residential character. Transit connections via the Staten Island Railway (Great Kills and Eltingville stations) provide your main link out, though commute scores reflect the reality of crossing water to reach Manhattan.
Great Kills scores 6.5/10 overall on DwellCheck's livability index, ranking #3 of 15 Staten Island neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data. Rent prices in Great Kills vary widely; check specific listings for current market rates. DwellCheck lists 2 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries for Great Kills, including Great Kills, Eltingville.
A typical 200m circle in Great Kills holds about 183 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 6.4/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Great Kills: King Fisher Park, Siedenburg Park, Seaside Wildlife Nature Park. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Great Kills Veterans Playground, about 431m.
Subway stations in Great Kills
Who Great Kills is best for
Practical score of 9 (borough median: 9.0) reflects a low rate of HPD housing violations; ART/Livability at 5.7 suggests tree coverage and relative quiet support residential comfort
Five named parks within ~1km (King Fisher, Siedenburg, Seaside Wildlife, Wegener, Greencroft) and marina/beach access make this appealing despite commute score of 5
The lowest crime rate per resident of the 14 Staten Island neighborhoods we track; moderate rodent complaints (134) signal maintenance standards, though commute score of 5 and outdoor score of 4.8 show trade-offs
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about finding a no-fee place in Great Kills?
Great Kills pricing varies by block and building. Great Kills ranks #3 of 15 Staten Island neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data on livability (6.5/10). Known for marina access and great kills park, Great Kills has a rental market where no-fee options depend heavily on building era and management. Great Kills scores a median 6.5—a solid neighborhood for tree-seeking families who drive, but transit limitations temper appeal for those prioritizing walkability or frequent Manhattan commutes.
How much should I expect to pay in Great Kills?
Pricing in Great Kills 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 Great Kills actually a good fit for someone looking for a no-fee apartment?
Depends on your priorities. Great Kills scores 9/10 on practical (HPD housing violations per residential lot, higher = fewer) and 5/10 on commute (subway stations and lines inside the neighborhood). It tends to work best for car-dependent families seeking green space. The no-fee inventory specifically depends on building stock, which you can verify address by address.
How do I get around from Great Kills?
DwellCheck lists 2 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries, including Great Kills (SIR) and Eltingville (SIR). The commute score is 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 Great Kills?
Block-by-block variation is significant — two addresses a quarter mile apart can have very different safety profiles. Staten Island averages 75.6 reported incidents per 300m radius and 0.2 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 Great Kills?
A typical 200m circle in Great Kills holds about 183 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 6.4/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Great Kills: King Fisher Park, Siedenburg Park, Seaside Wildlife Nature Park. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Great Kills Veterans Playground, about 431m. The outdoor score is 4.8/10. There is some green space, though it is not the area's strongest feature.
What ZIP code covers Great Kills?
Great Kills falls in 10306 (New Dorp / Great Kills).
No-Fee Apartments in other Staten Island neighborhoods
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