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5 Things to Know About Subletting an Apartment in New York City
Your questions answered about subletting an apartment, short-term leasing, Airbnb and more in New York City. Subletting is a common practice in New York, where leaseholders rent out their space to other renters for a period of time. There are many reasons a renter may need to sublet. Perhaps they are leaving the City for…
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4 Things to Know About Evictions and Lockouts in NYC
New York City has some of the strongest tenant protections in the country and has a stringent process of how and when renters can be evicted from their homes. While everyone hopes to never be at risk of eviction or potentially in a combative situation with a landlord, it’s important to know your rights. Here…
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3 Things To Know About Heat & Hot Water Rules in NYC
You’ve just spent a fortune finding and moving into an apartment, only to find out the heat and hot water is subpar. In New York City, landlords are required to make sure the building and individual apartments have functioning hot water 24/7 and that the heat kicks in when it’s supposed to. Here are 3…
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Broker Fees in NYC: How Does It Work? And Who Pays?
Broker fees are almost always a cause of confusion and frustration for New York City renters. So, what is a broker fee? It’s a fee that is paid to the agent or broker who is managing the listing. In New York City, renters are responsible for paying this fee, even if they did not explicitly…
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NYC Rental Application Checklist: 8 Things You Need!
Renting an apartment in New York is not easy. Housing is competitive, prices are volatile, and applications are invasive. First-time renters may be overwhelmed by how much information brokers and landlords ask for. At openigloo, we often get messages from renters asking us what’s normal for an NYC rental application checklist, as handing over dozens…
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5 Things To Do If You’re Late or Can’t Pay Rent
As rents continue to rise across the country, making full and timely payments can be challenging. Life happens, and certain circumstances may impact your ability to pay. Maybe a roommate left, or you lost your job, or had an unexpected expense. If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t pay rent in full…
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How To Find Out If You Have A Rent-Stabilized Apartment In NYC
We’ve all heard the stories of the New Yorker paying just a few hundred dollars a month for their apartment. Many renters think this is a pipe dream – something that is only available to the New Yorkers who were lucky enough to find a good deal in the 1970s and never leave. When they’re…
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openigloo’s 2023 NYC Rental Market Predictions
2022’s rental market was a rollercoaster. The year started off with a dramatic reversal of the rent discounts seen throughout the pandemic. Manhattan renters in particular navigated double-digit increases sometimes upward of 50% when their leases came up for renewal. Heading into the summer, the usual seasonal uptick coupled with the influx of renters returning…
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Top 5 (Big) Residential Landlords in NYC 2022
Renters in NYC have gotten used to the worst landlord list released by the Office of the New York City Public Advocate every year. By analyzing city data, the Public Advocate presents a list of buildings and landlords with a reputation for having unaddressed violations. At openigloo, a marketplace to help renters find quality apartments,…
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NYC Affordable Housing Lotteries 101
What is it, who is eligible, and how to apply? New York City is expensive, and apartments are scarce. In order to meet the demands of a growing population, the city is constantly building apartments. Affordable housing lottery helps tenants secure affordable housing throughout the five boroughs. Here are answers to some of the frequently…
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NYC Radiators: 5 Things You Need to Know
Radiators heat 80% of NYC buildings – and 70% of households reported that those chronically overheated. But what are radiators, how do they work, and what do renters need to know about them to survive NYC winters? Radiators work by drawing heat from water or steam and using that heat to warm up your apartment.…
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5 Things Every NYC Renter Needs To Know About Heat Season
Winter is upon us! That mean’s heat season is in full effect. From October 1 to May 31 every year, landlords are legally obligated to make sure your apartment and building have functioning and sufficient heat. Here are 5 things every new New Yorker should know about the city’s heat season. 1. When the temperature…
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Moving To New York? 5 Things You Need To Know BEFORE You Rent An Apartment In NYC
Renting apartments in NYC is unlike anywhere else. With millions of renters in the city, and many more moving each year, it’s important to go into your apartment hunt armed with the right information. Here are 5 things every new New Yorker should know before renting an apartment. 1. Scams are everywhere. Be careful. Scammers…
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6 Tips To Negotiate Your Rent
In June 2022, average Manhattan rents crossed $5000 a month, while rents in other boroughs also reached all-time highs. Vacancy rates are also low, leaving many renters scrambling to secure an apartment. But just because the market is competitive doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to negotiate. If you’re planning to renew or sign a new…
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3 Email Templates For When You Want to Negotiate Your Rent
The last of the COVID-19 renewals are coming up, and some renters are still getting stuck with big rent increases, sometimes upward of 50%. At openigloo, we get a lot of messages from renters asking us if they should renew and if the rent increases are “fair”. While discussing rent negotiation with your landlord may…
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How to Strategize Your Rent-Stabilized Lease Renewal
On June 21, the NYC Rent Guidelines Board voted in the largest rent increases on rent-stabilized apartments since 2013. The Rent Guidelines Board is responsible for setting the allowable increases on stabilized apartments every year. Leases commencing after October 1, 2022, will experience a 3.25% increase on 1-year renewals and a 5% increase on 2-year…
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7 Things You Can Do About Package Theft in NYC
Package theft is a common occurrence in NYC. If you don’t have a doorman or a dedicated package room in your building, you’ve likely run into issues receiving mail. On openigloo, an app where renters can anonymously review their NYC buildings, a tenant shared, “If you ever want a package delivered to you, do not live…
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3 Things You Should Check Before Signing a Lease
Signing a lease is stressful. Maybe you’re anxious to get settled in, or you want to close it before someone else puts in a stronger application. Regardless of your situation, rushing the lease signing process could be a costly mistake. We all know not to judge a book by its cover. It’s crucial to get…
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9 Housing Laws That Every NYC Renter Should Know
Compared to other states, New York has some of the most robust sets of housing laws to protect renters. Everything from security deposit regulation to lease breaks. The catch? More often than not, renters may not have the time to know the ins and outs of every rental housing law in NYC and what applies…
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3 Things You Should Know Before Breaking A Lease In NYC
Breaking a lease in NYC can be a challenge. Some landlords have simple lease-break fees, while others will make it impossible. The pandemic left thousands of New Yorkers reconsidering their living arrangements, meaning lease breaks were on a lot of renters’ minds. Whatever the reason for thinking about breaking a lease, many renters were left…
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