Livins blog
Renting, decoded
Field notes on no-fee listings, broker fees after the FARE Act, and how to search NYC without getting played.
Broker fees
What “no-fee” really means in NYC
A no-fee listing means you are not charged a broker fee to lease the unit — but the label still has to be checked against who hired the broker and what the lease actually says.
Jun 30, 2026 · 4 min read
Policy
The FARE Act, explained for renters
NYC's Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses Act changes who pays the broker fee. Here is what it means when you are the one signing the lease.
Jun 12, 2026 · 5 min read
Guides
Where international students should actually search
Start with three channel groups — school channels, public listing platforms, and community sublets — then verify who represents the landlord before you pay anything.
May 20, 2026 · 6 min read