If you are relocating to the area for work or school, consider reaching out to your organization’s housing office to ask about apartments in the neighborhood. Local apartment rental listings offices and services often know what’s available before it hits the broader rental listings – and they’re also familiar with the process of applying for and getting an apartment.

Alternatively, there are a number of websites and apps that help New Yorkers find apartments for rent and purchase. Some, like HotPads, offer a set of filters that can narrow down options, such as apartment size and price range or whether it’s pet friendly. The app also allows users to save search criteria and receive notifications of newly-listed apartments as they become available.

Top Local Apartment Rental Listings You Should Know About

In addition to the many aggregators, brokers, and landlords may maintain their websites with vacancies in buildings they own or manage, often for a fee. Some websites focus on bringing together roommates or finding sublets; others are dedicated to the listing and negotiation of co-ops and condominiums.

Finally, affordable housing (housing that’s tied to a tenant’s income) is often offered through waiting lists and application lotteries, which are linked from our Affordable Housing section. Other resources include neighborhood nonprofit groups, senior centers, community service agencies and other places that keep information about local rental notices. Also, don’t overlook local newspapers – they’re one of the best sources of current rental vacancies.