- What are your office hours? Where is your office located
- How do I access the Off-Campus Housing Registry?
- Do you recommend any particular brokers?
- When should I start looking for an apartment?
- What is a guarantor and do I need one?
- What are broker fees and how much do they cost?
- Which areas do you recommend for first-time renters?
- Does NYU Off-Campus Housing get involved in negotiations with landlords/brokers?
- Does NYU Off-Campus Housing investigate its listings?
What are your office hours? Where is your office located?
The Off-Campus Housing Office is open Monday through Friday, 10AM-5PM. We are located at 4 Washington Square Village, on the corner of Mercer and Bleecker, across from Coles Sports Center.
How do I access the Off-Campus Housing Registry?
The Off-Campus Housing Registry can be found within your NYU Home account. Once you have logged-in to NYU Home, go to the top of the page and click on the NYU Life or Research channel. On the left panel, you will find the Housing Registry tab within the Off-Campus Housing section.
Do you recommend any particular brokers?
If you are looking for an apartment in Manhattan, the Off-Campus Housing Office recommends you register for the Citi Habitats Relocation Program. You can find out more about the program and register in the brokers section of this website. You will also find a list of additional brokers in Brooklyn, Queens, and New Jersey.
When should I start looking for an apartment?
It's never too early to begin learning the market... Start now! Track ads and visit neighborhood buildings to prepare yourself for a successful search. We recommend that you begin searching for an apartment, in earnest, at least 4-6 weeks before your anticipated move-in date. The winter is considered a slow season, while the spring and summer, particularly May through the end of August, get very busy. See the Off-Campus Guide for more information.
What is a guarantor and do I need one?
For students who do not meet the income or credit requirements specified by a landlord, a guarantor might be the solution.
A guarantor (cosigner) - is someone who is willing to take on the financial liability of your lease if you are unable or unwilling to fulfill it. The guarantor is generally not required to pay anything in order to get you approved; however by agreeing to guarantee you, they are responsible for all terms of your lease.
If you are sharing an apartment, it is important to understand that the guarantor is ultimately responsible for the entire lease. Landlords sometimes accept multiple guarantors; however, they are not legally obligated to do so.
A guarantor does not have to be a relative. Most landlords prefer the guarantor to live in the Tri-State area: New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. It is best to prepare your potential guarantor by advising them of what documents will be requested of them. Timing is critical in the New York rental market, and your guarantor's cooperation will be important.
Guarantors may be requested to provide the following information:
- Guarantor application.
- Guarantor Agreement.
- Social Security Number - Credit Report (Landlords generally run credit).
- Proof of income showing double the income requirements of an applicant. Annual income of 70-80 times the monthly rent.
- Tax returns - first page and signature.
- Letter of Employment - on company letterhead (position, salary, and start date).
- CPA letter - stating qualifying income.
Guarantors usually do not have to be present at lease signing.
*A note for international students: Landlords may ask for six or more months' rent or deposit on an apartment if you do not have a guarantor who is employed in the United States.
The university does not act as a guarantor. If you are receiving an award package as part of a fully supported Lease Guarantee Program we suggest you speak to your department head and find out what options are available through your department. You should also consult Financial Aid.
What are broker fees and how much do they cost?
Broker fees are commissions, or finder's fees, which you pay to a broker for locating an apartment. Depending on the relationship between the realty and the owner, apartments may or may not have a fee attached to them. Fees range from one month to 15% of the annual rent. Standard industry rates fall between 12% - 15% of the year's rent.
Which areas do you recommend for first-time renters?
New York University students live in nearly every neighborhood in the New York City area - from Staten Island to Riverdale, and from Jersey City to Jamaica, Queens. Many students reside in Manhattan or Brooklyn and seek convenient access to public transportation, and close proximity to NYU's main campus.
In Manhattan, the East Village and Lower East Side are popular and have a large population of NYU students due to lower rents relative to other Manhattan neighborhoods (i.e. below 96th Street). Many students also occupy apartments in the highly sought-after and more expensively priced neighborhoods of Greenwich Village and the West Village. Within a 5 - 10 minute subway commute, Gramercy Park and Murray Hill are also reasonably priced areas and provide comparatively well-sized apartments. Within a 20 - 30 minute ride on an express train (4, or 5), the Upper East Side (5th Ave.-York/57th-100th Streets) provides larger well-priced apartments (Studios - <$1500) to many.
NYU students living off-campus also choose neighborhoods in Manhattan's outlying areas (Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey).
In Brooklyn, Williamsburg offers lower priced apartments and falls along the path of the L train, affording students a 15 - 20 minute subway ride to the NYU area. Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Fort Greene, and Greenpoint are all popular Brooklyn neighborhoods among NYU students.
In Queens, Long Island City and Astoria are often sought-out.
In New Jersey, students have found Hoboken and Jersey City to offer an ideal compromise with reasonable rates and convenient commute times (15 - 20 minutes).
For demographics and safety statistics:
Does NYU Off-Campus Housing get involved in negotiations with landlords/brokers?
The Off-Campus Housing Office does not get involved in any pre or post agreement discussions regarding apartments. We do, however, provide numbers where you can get assistance. See our Links in the Resources section of this website.
Does NYU Off-Campus Housing investigate its listings?
The Off-Campus Housing Office does not investigate, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of the information provided in any listing, the condition of the accommodation, or the suitability or performance of either the lister or any prospective tenant. NYU shall not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered or incurred by any individual or entity arising out of or relating to the listings. NYU shall not be deemed to be a party, and shall have no responsibility or obligation to enforce such agreement.
