An insider's guide to finding a short-term, furnished rental in NYC

Finding a rental apartment in New York City is notoriously hard—and finding a short-term, furnished rental here is even harder. It’s a dilemma you may face if you're relocating here for work or if you are renovating. Other reasons you might need provisional housing abound: Maybe you're a visiting professor or your kids are attending college here, or you might be receiving medical treatment or providing care for a family member or friend. And so on.

No matter the scenario, the challenge is inevitably the same: How do you find accommodations that are legal, economically feasible, and offer the comforts of a real (if temporary) home?

"One of the most common requests we get as brokers in NYC is for short-term furnished rentals," says Tara King-Brown, a broker at Corcoran. "This runs the gamut of price points, neighborhoods, and clientele."

That said, "sometimes brokers are aware of short-term rentals, however, it’s not a general practice," says Karen Kostiw, an agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg.

[Editor's note: An earlier version of this story was published in January 2024. We are presenting it again with new information for January 2025.]

What's behind this Catch-22?  It’s tricky to find apartments available for short-term stays due to NYC laws, which prohibit rentals for fewer than 30 days. And many buildings—especially co-ops and condos—don't want to have a revolving-door environment. Plus they would be subject to city and state hotel taxes for short subleases. (These factors are unpacked below.)

Rest assured, viable options exist. "We usually direct clients to hotels for weekly requests, corporate stay options for 30 days to six months, and rental or condo buildings for six-to-12-month lease terms," King-Brown says.

Rely on Brick to unpack that guidance and walk you through the potential pitfalls so you can avoid the typical hassles and headaches. You'll also find a round-up of short-term rental agencies to help you save time and effort in finding the right place for your NYC stay. Read on.

What are the laws for short-term rentals? 

For starters, NYC prohibits rentals for fewer than 30 days when the host is not present, even if the host owns or lives in the building. Short-term rentals are only allowed if the host remains in the same unit as guests, and no more than two guests are permitted.

And implementation in 2023 of Local Law 18, which created a registration system for hosts, has significantly reduced availability. 

"Local Law 18 mandates that short-term rentals be registered with the city, comply with specific safety requirements, and ensure that the premises are not used for illegal operations," Kostiw says.

Then there are the economic disincentives. Landlords (including renters who are subleasing a unit) are supposed to pay a 5.85 percent hotel tax plus a daily hotel unit fee of $1.50 to the city for leases that are less than 90 days. The same applies to “room re-marketers” such as Airbnb and VRBO.

You’ll also want to steer clear of illegal listings and stay on the right side of the law when it comes to those platforms. Otherwise, you may find yourself being escorted out of your prepaid, nonrefundable apartment (er, basement unit) before your visit is over.

What are rules for co-ops, condos, and rental buildings?

While all residential buildings must abide by city law prohibiting rentals for fewer than 30 days, co-op boards can add on even more restrictions.

"Most NYC co-ops do not permit short-term leases," says Neil B. Garfinkel, a real estate attorney at Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson. “These entities do not want to promote a transient hotel-like environment, that’s the bottom line.”

According to King-Brown, condos generally require a six- to 12-month minimum lease term and for tenants to complete a condo board package involving extensive financial disclosure, which can take three to four weeks before the board formally approves the tenant.

"Condo boards and residents work to avoid short-term turnover of any kind as they feel it deteriorates the quality and experience of the building," King-Brown says, with one caveat: Owners are often allowed to have a "guest" stay for up to 30 days at a time without submitting a full board package if you are a friend or family member and not being charged rent. 

Kostiw cautions that rental buildings often impose their own restrictions on short-term rentals.

She advises reviewing the building's policy and conferring with the managing agent before signing any short-term lease. "It’s also a good idea to have a personal lawyer that will ensure that the agreement is legitimate, and meets New York rental tenant laws."

How can you spot a scam?

Unfortunately, there are many scams associated with short-term rentals. The easiest way to avoid them? Consider the source. Unless you’re working with a reputable firm or agent, proceed with caution.

Be especially aware of postings by tenants rather than the landlord. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to make sure a renter has the ability to sublet the apartment. You also have every right to speak directly to the landlord. If the answer is no, walk away.

Go with your gut: If a listing looks too good to be true, it most likely is. Size up the photos, floor plan, and price. Skip any that don't have all three of these elements (and be wary of fake photos). 

Kostiw offers this cautionary tale in which a prospective renter of a short-term rental did some sleuthing, saw the apartment had recently been sold, and contacted her as the selling agent to confirm if the apartment was legitimately available for rent or if it was a scam.

"It was a scam, of course. The apartment was not for rent, and the list price was much too low for a three-bedroom unit," she says. 

What's more, furnished rentals are always going to be more expensive than unfurnished, so beware of any unreasonably low rates. Always compare the price to similar apartments. 

What are some short-term rental solutions?

For one turn-key approach to renting a furnished apartment, consider co-living companies. Many offer minimum stays as short as 30 days and a number allow residents to hop from property to property.

Another option is to work with agencies that specialize in furnished short-term stays. Some of these enterprises—like Blueground (fyi, a Brick sponsor) and Outpost Club—were founded by folks who say they were frustrated by their own extended-stay experiences. These networks of furnished rental options are based on a hospitality business model, so you are dealing with an investor-backed business instead of individuals.

Keep in mind that even though furnished rentals come at steeper prices than unfurnished rentals, you'll be recognizing significant savings over a lengthy hotel stay (at an average of $417 per night times 30 days, according to CoStar, a provider of commercial real estate data and analysis). You'll also need to avoid doing damage to the furnishings or face having repair or replacement costs deducted from your security deposit. On the other hand, extended-stay hotel residences offer more flexibility in case you don't want to commit to a full-month visit.

As with any rental, you will find the greatest inventory—and highest rental rates—from June through September, so if possible, take advantage of price drops (but lower supply) from December through March. 

Being flexible also helps. You may have to make compromises regarding having a doorman, being in an elevator building, or settling on an earlier or later move-in date.

Always be on the lookout for hidden costs; some rental quotes include wifi and utilities and housekeeping, but others don’t. Do your homework.

14 resources for furnished, short-term rentals in NYC

The following agencies and companies (presented in alphabetical order) are well-reviewed and worth a try.

1) AKA 

Backed by a multigenerational (and multi-billion-dollar) real estate company, AKA's claim to fame is having "the world's most livable hotels," with a mission of providing an elevated alternative to weekly and month-to-month apartment rentals.

Accommodations: Choose among studios, one- and two-bedroom suites, and penthouses at one of four NYC locations: AKA Central Park, AKASutton Place, AKA Times Square, and Hotel AKA NoMad (which offers nightly stays). 

Amenities: These "hotel residences" are based on an extended-stay model rather than a rental agreement, with all the luxury amenities you expect from high-end lodging—complimentary wifi, valet laundry service, housekeeping, grocery delivery plus a fitness center, cinema, café, lounge, and business center.

Costs: You'll have to make a formal inquiry to find out the rates—meaning if you have to ask, they are probably out of your price range. (Or you can reserve through a third-party service like Booking.com, where the total 30-day fee at AKA Central Park was $10,090 for a studio and $13,950 for a one-bedroom deluxe suite plus taxes.)

The upshot: If proximity to cultural attractions and living in the lap of luxury are your top priorities (and budget is not in your vocabulary), you are AKA material.

2) Anyplace

With "Live Anyplace, Work Anywhere" as its slogan, Anyplace provides furnished rentals in three buildings in Manhattan—one in Chelsea (West 21st Street) and two in FiDi (on Wall Street and Hanover Square). 

Accommodations: Each furnished studio or one-bedroom apartment comes with in-unit laundry as well as plug-and-play workplaces equipped with a height-adjustable desk, ergonomic chair, wide-screen monitor, and wireless keyboard and mouse for your laptop. Plus, you get everything you need for Zoom meetings, including a background screen, mic, light, and webcam. 

Amenities: The modern buildings have co-working spaces, recreational lounges, fitness centers, swimming pools, and rooftop decks. 

Costs: Rates start at $5,199 per month with a minimum 30-day stay. Not ready to budge after that? You can extend your stay at any time. Booking is as easy as reserving a hotel—all done online, including a free credit and background check.

The upshot: Remote workers are the target market, so if that doesn't sound like you, consider looking elsewhere. 

3) Apt212

As the name implies, Apt212 zeroes in on the Manhattan market, specifically the Midtown and Downtown areas. What started as a traditional real estate brokerage in 2010 has morphed into a "tech-infused company specializing in investment sales and new developments," though it still has a rental division that matches renters with short-term stays. 

Accommodations: The listings include rooms for rent in shared apartments along with private units in luxury buildings and there were 825 listings as of this writing, 117 of which were studio and 478 three bedrooms. You can filter the search for building amenities, too.

The costs: Besides a one-time $100 application fee, Apt212 charges a service fee for each lease based on 15 percent of the reservation subtotal before taxes, similar to a brokerage fee. (Hosts are charged a service fee to cover the cost of processing payments and apartment maintenance.) A security deposit equal to the first month’s rent is also required at booking and held by the landlord.

Rents for a one-bedroom, one-bath apartment ranged from $5,000 to over $15,000 per month, with most at or below $7,500. 

Transparency is a bit lacking and it can be hard to know what's included or not in the quoted price. Depending on the property, other costs compound the base rental: Cable, wifi, and electricity may be extra. Some landlords require monthly cleaning to keep apartments in good condition (at an additional charge) and a one-time move-out cleaning, which can be deducted from the security deposit.

No credit checks are required, though you will need to submit to a criminal background check, as with most other agencies.

The upshot: Apt212 may not be the most economical choice but, thanks to a no-credit-check policy and guarantor acceptance, it can be a viable option for students, recent grads, and others with zero (or poor) credit history as well as international visitors.

4) Blueground

Of the companies included here, this self-described “real estate tech company” is the one most credited with disrupting the extended-stay industry with its digital-first business model, seamless transactions, and proprietary app.

Accommodations: Blueground rents new or renovated units from private owners in specified areas, sends in its own design team to fit them out with custom furnishings and appliances, and then handles all the leasing and maintenance.

The listings are predominantly in Brooklyn and Midtown and Downtown Manhattan, with upward of 150 Uptown options and some apartments in Long Island City, Hoboken, Jersey City. Most rentals are in elevator buildings, and many are pet friendly.

New features include Live@Blueground for one-year-plus stays at discounted rates, Business at Blueground for corporate housing, and Studentground for flexible lease terms and no rent in off months.

Amenities: These depend on the specific listing, but you can filter your search for an elevator, doorman, laundry (on-site or on each floor), gym, parking, rooftop deck, pool, and/or courtyard. And amenities are included in each listing. 

The costs: A few searches for one bedrooms in an elevator building with on-site laundry and a doorman resulted in monthly rates ranging from $5,610 at 63 Wall St. in FiDi to $13,490 at Instrata Gramercy in Gramercy Park. 

Know that the monthly rate that shows up in your search results is the cheapest available based on a 12-month lease (or rather one day shy of 12 months).

The upshot: If the idea of tech-enabled efficiency and stylish, full-service accommodations speaks to your own sensibilities, Blueground is a safe bet.

5) Churchill Living

With over 30 years in the business, Churchill Living is a respected leader in the luxury corporate housing market, helping with employee relocations and business travel as well as insurance-policy accommodations and home-renovation placements. More recently, the company has rebranded itself as providing temporary accommodations to regular folks, too, from students and interns to families and solo visitors who are not on an expense account. 

Accommodations: The apartments are in 12 luxury buildings that are mainly situated in Midtown and Lower Manhattan as well as Murray Hill and Lincoln Square, with one in the Bronx. Curiously, clicking on the Brooklyn icon from the main NYC page turned up no buildings. Most feature floor-to-ceiling windows, granite countertops, custom cabinetry, and Italian tile in the bathrooms, among other bespoke details. 

Amenities: Expect best-in-class offerings at full-service buildings, with 24/7 attendants, fitness clubs, swimming pools, spas, kids' playrooms, and even things like a skydeck and pro-sized basketball court (Sky), or bowling alley and dog run/spa (555 Ten Apartments). 

The costs: Starting prices range from $219 to $329 a night, with a couple of higher-priced exceptions for 22 Renwick St. ($828) and 50 UN Plaza ($1,149). 

The upshot: Churchill is still the default for discerning tastes and deep pockets.

6) Furnished Quarters

Founded in 1998 by two real estate developer brothers who owned two brownstone apartments in NYC, Furnished Quarters is the largest independently owned and operated provider of global temporary housing, and not just for corporate clientele.

Accommodations: Working in conjunction with various landlords, Furnished Quarters has its own design team that furnishes the units, including signature wallpaper, sheets and towels, and even their eco-friendly cleaning supplies. Additionally, the company rents out units in its own buildings (mostly brownstones and townhouses). Properties are spread across Manhattan—including on the High Line—with a handful in Brooklyn and as well as White Plains, Hoboken, and other East Coast destinations.

Amenities: Its diverse portfolio comprises properties in a wide range of prices and with a wide range of amenities, with affordable mid-tier buildings and full-service high-rises with all the desirable perks. 

Costs: Studios and one bedrooms start at around $139 a day—rates for larger apartments and buildings with amenities are higher. 

The base rental cost includes wifi, utilities, twice-monthly housekeeping, and maintenance—basically everything but city taxes. And because there's no security deposit or any service fees, there’s less of a barrier to entry.

The upshot: By bundling the costs, Furnished Quarters makes it easy to predict your monthly expenses. You also get 24/7 service without an extra fee. Their FQ Green initiatives (reusable shopping bags and paperless billing) mean you can feel good about your stay.

7) Leasebreak

Celebrating 10 years in business, Leasebreak aggregates listings for shorter leases, sublets, lease takeovers, and shared apartments across the five boroughs of NYC and New Jersey. According to founder Phil Horigan, the inventory is split between units rented directly from landlords and agents (including some of the companies on this list), and units posted by tenants looking for subletters or new renters in case of a lease assignment, where the new person takes over an existing lease. (Note that in the case of a leasebreak, a new tenant will be required to sign a new lease, usually for a full year.)

Leasebreak provides the source of the listing and whether a fee is involved or utilities are included. If the post is by a broker or company, such as Blueground or Sonder, you will be connected to them via the online inquiry form.

To avoid scammers, Horigan says that he or one of his staff reviews every posting during a 24-hour waiting period. He requires all posts to provide a street address so prospective renters can check with the landlord or property manager directly.

Leasebreak also asks all tenants whether they have their landlord’s permission to sublet or re-rent, and then publicly display that answer in the post—and you can filter your search to only include the ones that said yes. You can also look for stamps of approval from the landlords themselves, though that is not yet a search filter.

The costs: This varies as widely as regular rentals do. A recent search for an entire (pet-friendly) apartment in Chelsea/Hudson Yards for a month-long March rental where the tenant has landlord's permission turned up 33 results, ranging in price from $4,960 for a one bedroom on West 34th Street to $7,101 for a one bedroom on West 21st Street (both happen to be from Blueground), with some studios and two bedrooms in between those rents. 

The upshot: Leasebreak lets you cast a wide net in hunting for legitimate short-term rentals, going beyond even other aggregate sites to include tenant posts that might otherwise fall under the radar.

8) Manhattan Suites

Founded in 2019, Manhattan Suites describes their inventory as carefully handpicked properties from trusted local landlords and property management companies to ensure each one meets its standards of quality, comfort, and safety. It also aims to streamline the booking process and offer flexible lease terms and discounted rates for extended stays. Need help fast? A live customer service rep is standing by via chat or email.

And despite the name, the company covers Brooklyn rentals, too.

Accommodations: The site has a definite POV, with unique search features and a cool design. A dashboard lets you see all townhouses, penthouses, lofts, and apart-hotels by clicking on the link; there's also a category called "wow!" and another for "grand piano" (only one listing turned up for that). Or you can search by size—studios up to four-plus bedrooms—and price.  

Amenities: These depend on the specific property, with apartment amenities (A/C, dishwasher, washer/dryer, balcony were fairly common) provided in the listing along with building amenities (elevator, doorman, gym, roof deck, etc.). 

Costs: The site delivers on its promise of "no hidden fees" by providing a full breakdown once you choose your dates and submit your request, including a baked-in cleaning fee that varies by property (one was $4,180, another double that). A sample search for apartments across all nine Brooklyn nabes generated five results, including a 549-square-foot, one-bedroom in Ditmas Park for a total of $4,185 (with cleaning fee and taxes) and a 1,815-square-foot, two-bedroom loft in Greenpoint for $9,965 all-in.

The upshot: It's not the most intuitive search interface—you have to click around to discover the various drop-down menus, including for neighborhoods within Manhattan and Brooklyn (hint: click in the "where to" search bar)—but once you get the hang of it, you can quickly find some really amazing places. Plus, many of the listings have starred reviews, a la Airbnb.

9) onefinestay

Admittedly on the high end, onefinestay—a leading rental agency since 2010 with a portfolio of private high-end homes—has monthly stays available at 24 luxury properties in NYC. 

Accommodations: NYC listings include addresses in the East Village, West Village, Soho, Tribeca, Chelsea, Murray Hill, FiDi, Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Boerum Hill, Park Slope, and Williamsburg (among others) and range from one to five bedrooms.

Amenities: The bookings come with onefinestay’s concierge service and guest support: Guests can add on additional services like housekeeping, private chefs, and in-home spa treatments.

Costs: Be aware that rates are nightly and based on a 30-day stay, with the opportunity to extend and rent by the day after the initial month-long booking. A search for apartments for March resulted in 11 listings, including a three-bedroom, three-bath duplex apartment with a private terrace on Reade Street in Tribeca for $1,800 a night (that's a total of $54,000 for 30 days).

The upshot: Because these are all private homes, it's similar to staying at an Airbnb, only to the nth degree thanks to onefinestay's wraparound services. Read: This is how celebs do it.

10) Outpost Club

If you are open to a shared space, Outpost Club rents furnished bedrooms in mostly Brooklyn neighborhoods but also Queens (Ridgewood and Flushing) and Manhattan (Chelsea, Murray Hill, Washington Heights, Hell's Kitchen, and Harlem). More recently added "houses" are in the Upper West Side and Hamilton Heights.(Note: Outpost Club acquired some of Bedly’s buildings in 2019 after that company closed abruptly.) Like other co-living companies, Outpost Club handles the entire rental process, including matching you to roommates.

Accommodations: Choices include a bed in a shared room as well as private rooms in standard, large, executive, and combinations like "standard large" and "executive," though the terminology is based on each property. Some private rooms have their own bath (and you can screen out any that don't). Lease terms are one to 12 months. There are also a handful of full-apartment rentals for longer stays (typically six to 12 months minimum). 

Amenities: Common areas vary by house, but generally include a common kitchen that's stocked with essentials, lounge area with flat-screen TV, and co-working space. Some properties (like The Hancock House) have on-site laundry and outdoor space. Utilities and wifi cost an extra $164 per month but twice-monthly cleaning is included in the rent. 

The costs: The application is free but all leases require a refundable security deposit, though if you cannot afford that upfront amount, you can apply for financing to cover the deposit. Outpost Club has also partnered with a third-party guarantor in case you need help qualifying.

Pricing is based on the length of stay, with 12-month leases being the cheapest. For example, an executive large room with private bath at The Hell's Kitchen House is $2,590 for 12-plus months, $2,770 for five to 12 months, $3,170 for three to four months, and $3,470 for the entire summer. 

The upshot: You're not just renting a room, you're "building communities around shared spaces like kitchens and living rooms." You can also try out the different neighborhoods before establishing more permanent roots.

11) Roomrs

This co-living company rents furnished and unfurnished bedrooms as well as furnished apartments for a minimum of three months in all the desirable Manhattan and Brooklyn nabes. According to the website, the spaces are "thoughtfully designed in partnership with local makers and creators, as well as premium brands, to create functional homes that only take small personal touches to make your own." 

Accommodations: Whether you choose to share a bedroom or rent a private one, the process is super simple and fast: Search for a place online, submit the application form (and pay a one-time fee of about $50), and once Roomrs conducts credit checks and verifies employment, you should hear back within 24 hours. More good news: You can change apartments at any time if you end up not liking your roommates. 

Amenities: It depends on the property, but you can usually count on kitchen basics, new sheets and towels, and a flat-screen TV in the common area. On-site laundry and storage might be available depending on the building. like monthly cleaning of common areas, new sheets and towels, kitchen essentials, and more, depending on the building

The costs: All leases include utilities, high-speed wifi, cable subscription fees, and monthly cleaning services. Rental rates start at $1,400 per month for a private bedroom. Co-living options for shared bedrooms are usually lower. Luxury apartments typically cost between $2,000 and $3,000 per month, but those costs can increase in prime neighborhoods.  

The upshot: Roomrs gets rave reviews from satisfied customers, like this one: “Great experience. The apartment was well furnished and the cleaning crew that comes every month was also a nice touch. Customer service was very kind and responsive.”

12) Rove Travel

Rove Travel is an upscale property management company with short-term rentals throughout Manhattan, specifically the Upper East Side, Midtown West, Chelsea, Flatiron, Gramercy, Tribeca, Wall Street, Union Square, Soho, West Village, East Village, Greenwich Village. It also has stays in Williamsburg. 

Accommodations: The variety is staggering and leans toward mega lofts and All properties are self check-in, meaning you don't need to coordinate with a host and can easily arrange for others staying with you to check in as well. They are also outfitted with workstations equipped with monitors/docking stations, keyboards, and ergonomic chairs. 

Amenities: Besides a fully stocked kitchen (with Nespresso machines), expect luxe linens, Malin & Goetz soaps, high-speed wifi, and TVs powered by Roku offering free access to Netflix, Hulu + Live TV, and Disney+. 

The costs: Rove caters to a higher end customer, with rents that soar into the five figures, but for those traveling as a group or with a family, it often nets out compared to similar quality hotel rooms in NYC (which often run over $700 per bedroom per night). For example, a 2,500-plus-square-foot mega-loft in Union Square with three bedrooms, a private elevator, great room with 10-foot ceilings, gas fireplace, and an open chef's kitchen rents for $20,770. At the lower end, a renovated two-bedroom duplex townhouse in Washington Heights with private outdoor space, an in-unit washer/dryer, and a recreation room/home office can be yours for $5,194.

The upshot: Discriminating remote workers will appreciate the ultra-stylish digs and dedicated office space. And if you fall in love with your rental, Rove allows extensions pending availability of the unit. Discounts on bulk rentals can also be arranged. 

13) Sonder

Founded in 2012, California-born Sonder has expanded globally, entering the NYC market a few years back. Currently it has 12 properties in six nabes: Long Island City, Gowanus, Tribeca, Financial District, Flatiron, and Midtown East.

Accommodations: As the most hotel-like service of the bunch, you can book rooms (or entire apartments in some locations) or on a nightly basis with a two-night minimum or by the month—or any length of time in between. And as a hotel-like environment, lodging comes with house rules: No smoking, no parties, no pets, and a suggested quiet time from 10 pm to 8 am. On the flip side, no credit or background checks are required.

Amenities: The über-modern buildings offer eclectic, design-forward furnishings, top-notch amenities such as rooftop lounges and fitness facilities, and fully equipped kitchens.

The costs: Prices are in the $175 to $500 per diem ballpark and are assessed a nightly tax and a $35 fee to cover the post-checkout cleaning. Regular housekeeping can be arranged for an additional fee. 

The website posts all pricing, so it's easy to browse. The longer you stay, the better the deal, with a 25 percent discount off of a seven-day stay and a 35 percent discount off of 30-day bookings (so you would pay $4,875 on a room that costs $250 a night and would normally be $7,500). You may have to pay a refundable security deposit depending on the property.

The upshot: Sonder apartments combine hotel convenience with the comforts of home. And, unlike the others listed here, you can book for shorter than a month

14) Weichert Corporate Housing

Formerly known as Premier Furnished Solutions, this operation specializes in short-term leases for corporate relocators and business travelers. The multilingual staff is also tailored to diplomats, consular officers, and other international clientele requiring cultural sensitivity.

Accommodations: All six properties are in Manhattan—namely FiDi, Chelsea, and Midtown. Listings include studios, one bedrooms, and a few two bedrooms. 

Amenities: The mid- and high-rise buildings feature what you'd expect—health clubs, resident lounges, laundry facilities, sundecks, playrooms, and bike storage.

The costs: Prices are only available upon request but are all-inclusive of utilities and housekeeping, and there are no service fees or security deposits. 

The upshot: If having to submit an inquiry doesn't turn you off, and you are looking for a Manhattan address, then Weichert's all-inclusive rates are probably worth the company's boutique white-glove service. 

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