Your first New York apartment, without the scramble.
Moving to New York? Good apartments go in days, landlords want 40× the rent in income and a US credit score you don't have yet, and the fake listings are aimed at people searching from far away. We get you guarantor-approved before you start, check every listing, view for you the same week and apply fast. Fixed price, paid by you, so we work for you and not the landlord.
Collected rents
What the latest ads are asking in New York City.
From 1,075 listings collected by 2026-10-30. A research snapshot of asking rents, not an offer of a home.
Why it's hard
Renting in New York is built for people with a US paper trail.
The market moves faster than a newcomer can, the screening rules assume years of US credit and payslips, and the agent showing the apartment works for the landlord. It isn't you. The system expects a history you haven't had time to build.
Gone before you can see it
Inventory is down and the good apartments get several applications at the first open house. If you need a week to fly in, gather documents or find a guarantor, the place has already gone. We get all of that ready first, so you can apply the same day.
40× the rent, and no US credit
Most landlords want yearly income of 40 times the monthly rent and a US credit report, or a US guarantor earning 80 times. We get you pre-approved with a guarantor company before you search, and only send homes whose buildings accept it.
Listings that aren't real
"I'm abroad, I'll mail you the keys once the Zelle deposit clears." We check the price, the photos and who owns the building, and nothing is paid until someone has been inside and you've seen a real lease.
How it works
From first call to keys.
You make the decisions. We do the searching, checking, visiting and paperwork, and you can follow every step.
Intake and pre-approval
45 minutes on budget, commute, neighbourhoods, pets and dates. We gather your documents and start your guarantor-company application so you're approved before you look.
Your shortlist
8–12 checked homes across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, each scored against your brief, with every fee spelled out and anything that breaks the rules flagged.
Same-week viewings and applications
A scout views your favourites live on video, often the same day they're listed. If you love one, we submit a complete application that day.
Sign and move in
We negotiate the rent, a free month or the move-in date, check the lease and fee disclosure with you line by line, and set up the guarantor policy. You get your keys.
On your own
- Refresh StreetEasy and Craigslist at 7am and still miss it
- Guess which listings are real
- Fail the 40× and credit check, then scramble for a guarantor
- Talk to agents who work for the landlord
- Fly in for a week of open houses
With Settle
- One shortlist that fits your brief
- Owner, price and fees checked on every home
- Guarantor approval before your first viewing
- Someone negotiating for you, paid by you
- Live video viewings, so you can apply from anywhere
Rent check
Is this rent fair?
Type in a listing you're looking at. We compare it with the New York City asking rents we collected for the same size and neighbourhood.
Before you pay anything
- Never send a deposit or "reservation fee" before you or someone you trust has seen the home in person.
- A rent far below the local median is the most common sign of a fake listing.
- Ask for the owner's ID and proof of ownership, and check the name matches the contract.
- Don't move the conversation to WhatsApp or email at the landlord's request before the viewing.
Pricing
One fixed price. No percentage of your rent.
Prices in US dollars. Rent, the deposit and any guarantor-company fee go straight to the landlord or provider, never to us. In New York we work through a licensed real estate brokerage under a written agreement you sign before we start, and most of the fee is due only when you sign a lease.
Shortlist
For people already in the city who'll do their own viewings.
- 45-minute intake call
- 8–12 checked homes in 3 days
- Scam, price and fee check on each
- Which guarantor companies each building accepts
Settled
We handle everything until you have the keys.
- Everything in Shortlist
- Guarantor pre-approval handled for you
- Up to 10 live video viewings
- Same-day applications
- Negotiation on your behalf
- Lease and fee disclosure checked with you
Companies
For teams moving people to New York.
- Settled for each employee
- One dedicated contact
- US invoices
- Progress report for HR
Every plan includes a 30-day arrival guide for New York. Settle never accepts landlord payment for a home it recommends to you.
Questions
Before you start
Broker fees were banned in New York. Why would I pay you?
The FARE Act stopped landlords' brokers from charging renters. It didn't give renters anyone on their side: the agent at the viewing still works for the landlord. The law lets you hire your own representative, and that's us. You pay a fixed fee you know in advance, usually far less than the old broker fee.
I don't have a US credit score or a US guarantor. Can I still rent?
Yes. That's the situation we handle most. We apply with a lease-guarantee company such as Insurent, TheGuarantors or Leap. Expect a one-off fee of roughly one month's rent for someone without US credit, paid to them, not us. We only shortlist buildings that accept the provider you're approved with.
Are you licensed?
Representing renters for a fee in New York requires a real estate licence, so we work through a licensed brokerage. Before you pay anything, you'll see the licence and the written agreement that sets out exactly what we do and what it costs.
Do I need to be in New York already?
No. Many clients start 3–4 weeks before they arrive, so guarantor approval and documents are done before the search. Viewings are live on video, and many landlords accept an application and an electronic lease signature from abroad.
What should I expect to pay upfront to the landlord?
The first month's rent, a security deposit of at most one month (the legal limit), up to $20 per applicant for checks, and your guarantor-company fee if you use one. If anyone asks for more, or for a broker fee on their own listing, we flag it.
What happens to my documents?
Your passport, offer letter, bank statements and any SSN or ITIN are shared only with the landlord or guarantor company you choose, stored encrypted, and deleted once you've signed.
Waitlist
Be first when New York City opens.
Three quick steps. We're opening cities in the order people ask for them. Nothing is charged until we've spoken.
You're on the list.
We'll email you as soon as New York City opens.
Other cities
Moving somewhere else?
Same method and local rules in every city.