NYC rental terms you must know — a practical glossary

• Studio: an open unit where the bedroom, living room, and kitchen are basically in one space — good for one person, but more compact.
• 1B1B / 2B2B / 3B2B: number of bedrooms + number of bathrooms. 2B2B and 3B2B are common for sharing.
• Shared apartment: a shared unit where you share the kitchen, living room, or bathroom with others.
• Private room: a private bedroom within a shared unit; you rent only one room and may not carry the whole-unit lease.
• Master room: the master bedroom, usually larger and possibly with a private bath.
• Living-room partition / flex: a partitioned living room or flexible layout — confirm whether the building allows it, whether there is a window, and whether it affects occupancy and lease compliance.
• Basement / attic: a basement or attic, possibly cheaper, but watch for dampness, light, ceiling height, a separate exit, and legal living conditions.

• Rent / gross rent: the contract monthly rent, usually the more important number for monthly payment, renewal, and income review.
• Net effective rent: the advertised price after spreading out free months or a concession — it can be lower than what you actually pay each month.
• Concession / rental concession: a rent incentive, which can be free months, a one-time credit, a gift card, a waived move-in fee, or waived parking.
• Utilities: water, electricity, gas, internet, trash, sewer, etc. Before signing, ask what utilities are included in the rent.
• Security deposit: for ordinary NYC rentals this usually should not exceed one month’s rent; move-out deductions should generally relate to unpaid charges or damage beyond normal wear and tear.
• Application fee / credit check / background check: for ordinary NYC apartments this is usually capped at $20.
• Holding fee / administration fee: ask whether it is refundable, whether it is credited after a successful application, and who collects it.
• Broker fee: after the NYC FARE Act, a landlord’s agent cannot pass the landlord’s broker commission to the tenant; if you hire your own tenant broker, you may still pay.
• Pet fee / pet rent / parking fee / move-in fee / amenity fee / late fee: ask whether each is one-time or monthly and whether it is refundable.

• Lease / lease agreement: before signing, get the full lease, rider, fee schedule, and house rules.
• Term of lease: confirm the start date, end date, payment date, and whether it is fixed-term.
• Month-to-month lease: renews monthly — flexible, but possibly easier to raise rent or terminate.
• Lease renewal / renewal notice: rent-stabilized units usually have clearer renewal rules.
• Early termination clause / lease break: confirm how much notice is required, the penalty, and whether you can find a replacement tenant.
• Sublet / sublease: usually requires written consent from the landlord or management.
• Assignment: transferring lease responsibility to someone else — different from a sublet; whether your responsibility is released depends on the contract wording.
• Rider / house rules: additional terms and building rules, often covering pets, guests, smoking, alterations, moving, elevator booking, noise, and packages.
• Joint and several liability: roommates may be jointly responsible for the whole rent, not just their own room.
• Eviction: a landlord cannot simply change the locks or remove someone — it usually requires a legal process.

• Tenant / lessee: the person who signs the lease and carries the rent and occupancy responsibility.
• Landlord / lessor: the owner, usually the one renting it out.
• Property manager / management: handles rent collection, repairs, the portal, house rules, and day-to-day communication.
• Super / maintenance: the building superintendent or repair team, who handle routine repairs but cannot necessarily change the contract.
• Agent / broker / real estate agent: ask whether they represent the landlord or the tenant, and whether they will charge you.
• Guarantor / co-signer: common for students with no US income or credit — they may need income, credit, and identity proof.
• Roommate / subtenant: when sharing, confirm who is on the lease, who is just a roommate, and who carries the payment responsibility.

• Amenities: building features such as a gym, pool, lounge, roof deck, package room, or shared kitchen — note whether there is a separate amenity fee.
• Furnished / unfurnished / fully furnished: furnished is convenient, but confirm the furniture list, mattress condition, and damage responsibility.
• In-unit laundry / on-site laundry: in-unit vs. a shared building laundry room — a big convenience difference.
• Home appliances: e.g. refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, air conditioning, hot water heater.
• Heating / AC: ask whether heating is electric or gas, and the winter/summer average bill.
• Maintenance request: usually submitted via the resident portal or email — keep the ticket.
• Move-in / move-out inspection: photograph or film for evidence to avoid deposit disputes.
• Noise complaint: first confirm the building’s quiet hours and complaint process.
• Pet policy: confirm whether pets are allowed, the pet fee, monthly pet rent, and breed/weight limits; for an ESA / service animal, follow the building’s process to request a reasonable accommodation with compliant documentation — once approved, an ordinary pet fee / pet rent generally should not apply, though you may still be responsible for actual damage the animal causes.
• Parking / garage / surface parking / carport: usually charged separately.

Questions you must ask the leasing office, management, or broker before signing — try to get the answers in writing.

• Do I have to buy renters insurance?
• What utilities are included in the rent?
• Does the amenity fee or management fee include any utilities?
• Is the apartment furnished? Fully or partly?
• If an appliance breaks, how soon will it be repaired, who handles it, and who pays?
• How much are water, electricity, gas, trash, amenity/management fees, and parking each month?
• How is heating billed in winter, and who pays for it?
• Is there an early termination clause, and how much is the penalty?
• When was the last pest treatment or extermination?
• Is parking available, and is there an extra parking fee?
• Is subletting allowed, and should I coordinate with management or the landlord?
• Is there any cap on renewal rent increases?
• How do I pay rent, and how much is renters insurance per month?
• Which internet providers are available in the building?
• What is the minimum short-term lease length?
• What is the standard long-term lease term, and are there any concessions?
• Does the rent include water, electricity, gas, internet, or parking?
• Where do packages go, the mailroom or the apartment door?
• Where should trash and recycling be taken?
• Is there a broker fee, and how much is it?
• How is the security deposit paid, and what prepayment is required for a short-term lease?
• Who will be the legal signing party on the lease?
• When will the security deposit be returned after move-out?