How to List Your NYC Apartment Without Using StreetEasy-And Still Get Plenty Of Leads

Are you a New York City landlord looking to rent out your apartment without using StreetEasy or its parent company Zillow? You're not alone. With rising fees and increasing platform control, many owners are exploring how to list a property while avoiding StreetEasy — and still reach quality traffic and leads for their properties.

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How to List Your NYC Apartment Without Using StreetEasy-And Still Get Plenty Of Leads

The good news? It's entirely possible. Here's how:

While StreetEasy is one of the biggest rental platforms in NYC, landlords are starting to look elsewhere because:

• It charges brokers and owners to post listings

• It's part of the Zillow network, which syndicates across their platforms and collects data on your property

• Some feel StreetEasy prioritizes broker listings, making it harder for direct owners to stand out

  
  

  

  Compass has sued Zillow over its private-listings ban. Photo: Michael Vi/Shutterstock

  Compass is the first real estate company to sue StreetEasy:

  Full Story Here

📣 Compass argues "The Zillow Ban" policy unfairly uses Zillow's market dominance to stifle competition, restrict listing strategies, and limit homeowner choice 

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✅ 3 Effective Ways to List Your NYC Apartment Without Using StreetEasy

And Still Get Plenty Of Leads

1. Use Other Platforms

   
   

   • Zumper.com

   • Avail.co (listings will also appear 12+ sites

     such as-Realtor dot come, rent dot com, apartments dot com etc.)

   • Properstar

   • PadMapper

   • The Listings Project (especially for creative housing)

   • New York Times

   • Brokerage pages by using their concierge service or one of their agents:

     • Corcoran

     • Compass

     • Douglas Elliman

     • E-Realty

     • Serhant

     • Bond NY

     • Real NY etc.

       
       

Thoughts on Posting On Social Media

• 0%Waste Of Time
• 0%I've tried, it worked!

2. Partner with a Local Management Company

If you're not local or don't want to handle direct inquiries, a reputable property manager can:

• Market the apartment

• Pre-screen tenants

• Show the unit and handle paperwork

💼 At Watersea Properties, we help NY landlords list and rent out properties — without paying platform fees. Contact us to learn more.

3. Create a Google-Indexed Listing Page

   
   

   Create a clean, dedicated listing page with:

   
   

   • Photos, floorplan, and details

   • Embedded contact form or phone number

   • Optimized SEO title (e.g., "Spacious 2BR in Washington Heights – No Fee Apartment for Rent")

   
   

   📈 This helps your listing show up on Google when renters search terms like "no fee 2 bedroom Upper West Side."

   
   

   Bonus: Tips for Fast Lease-Up Without StreetEasy

   
   

   • Price competitively — check what similar units in your building/area are renting for

   • Offer a 1-month concession or no broker fee

   • Respond quickly to messages (within 1–2 hours)

   • Provide a virtual tour for remote renters

   
   
   
   
   
   

4. StreetEasy may be dominant, but it's not your only option. By combining direct outreach, SEO, social media, and smart partnerships, you can fill your NYC rental quickly — and save money while doing it.

   
   

   💬 Need help listing your apartment without StreetEasy?

   
   

   We specialize in no-platform, no-hassle solutions for NY landlords.

   📞 Contact us at info@watersea-properties.com or visit watersea-properties.com to get started.