Best Sublet Websites in NYC: How to Find NYC Sublets (2025)

Evelyn Yen,Co-Founder & CEODecember 15, 2024

Brooklyn Bridge in NYC, with the skyline of the Financial District in the background.

§Introduction

Finding a sublet in NYC can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to start. While starting with your personal network is always a good idea, this guide will show you the best websites for finding sublets in NYC. We also give tips on how to search effectively, which will make your process easier and faster.

§What is a Sublet?

If you’re unsure what a sublet is, take a moment to read this section. If you already know, feel free to skip ahead to the best websites for finding NYC sublets.

A sublet is when the original tenant rents their apartment to someone else for a set time. Subletting is flexible and usually cheaper than signing a regular lease. Sublets often don't require a credit check like leases do. They act as a budget-friendly housing option, ideal for students, temporary workers, and those in transition.

§Top Websites for Finding NYC Sublets

Here are some of the most reliable platforms to consider when searching for a sublet in New York City:

§1. Atlas Rooms

Atlas Rooms is your go-to platform for finding high-quality sublets and short-term rentals in NYC. Whether you’re looking for a fully furnished place for a month or longer or planning to take over a long-term lease, we’ve got you covered.

We collect listings from over 150 sources, including Facebook groups, Craigslist, and Reddit. This saves you hours of searching and makes finding your next rental simple.

Key Features

Scam Protection: We use an advanced filtering system that ensures listings are high-quality and scam-free.
Largest Inventory: We have more sublet and NYC rental listings than any other platform. This gives you the best chance to find a place that fits your needs.

§2. Facebook Groups

Facebook groups are a top resource for finding sublets, hosting more than 80% of all online listings. However, navigating these groups can be challenging because of scams and spam, which makes them time-consuming to filter through. Despite these challenges, they remain one of the best options for finding a sublet in NYC.

Why Use Facebook Groups?

Wide Reach: Facebook Marketplace and groups provide lots of listings, including exclusive ones you won’t find elsewhere.
Helpful Advice: Group members share tips and experiences to make your search easier.

How to Use Facebook Groups for Sublets

Finding Facebook Groups: Search for “NYC housing groups” on Facebook to find the most popular ones in the city.
Prioritize Private Groups: Private groups usually have fewer scams and better moderation than public ones. Request access early, as approvals can take time.
Beware of Scams: Both public and private groups can have scams, so it’s essential to know how to spot them.

Examples of High-Quality NYC Facebook Groups

§3. Reddit

Reddit offers high-quality sublet listings thanks to strong moderation in its housing-focused communities. Though there are fewer listings than Facebook, the quality and reliability make up for it.

Recommended Subreddits for NYC Sublets:

§4. Craigslist

Craigslist is a popular option for finding sublets, especially if you’re looking for great deals from small landlords. It often features listings with fantastic prices that you might not find on other platforms. However, scammers heavily target Craigslist, so stay extra cautious on this site.

Links to Craigslist

Home page of the rooms & shares section of Craigslist

Tips for Using Craigslist Safely:

Visit the Place First: Never commit to a listing without visiting the apartment in person.
Meet the Lister: Always meet the person renting the space to verify their identity and connection to the property.
Sign a Sublease Agreement: Make sure to sign a sublease agreement before paying anything.

Craigslist can be risky, so watch for red flags like vague details, upfront payment requests, or deals that seem too good to be true.

§5. Listings Project

Listings Project started as a housing resource for artists but now caters to a broader NYC audience. Every Wednesday at 8:00 AM, it sends out a newsletter featuring high-quality, handpicked housing.

§6. Leasebreak

Leasebreak is a platform tailored for shorter-term leases and sublets in New York City. It helps tenants break a lease or find someone to take over, giving renters more flexibility.

Key Features

Shorter Lease Options: Ideal for those looking for sublets or lease takeovers with a few months left on the lease.
Broker Listings: While most listings are from tenants, brokers also post on Leasebreak, so some listings may involve fees.

§7. Spareroom

Originally a UK-based platform, SpareRoom offers a good selection of rooms, sublets, and roommate listings in NYC. The platform is generally good at filtering out scams, but it’s still important to stay cautious. Many listings on SpareRoom also come from brokers, so make sure to consider whether you want to work with brokers or avoid them.

Important Note: SpareRoom limits early access to new posts to paid subscribers only. In NYC’s competitive market, this could be the difference between landing a place or missing out.

§8. Roomi

Roomi is an app-based platform that connects people looking for roommates and sublets in major cities, including NYC. The app allows you to create profiles, search for listings, and communicate with potential roommates.

§How to Find a Sublet in NYC

With so many websites, how can you possibly approach your search so that you can guarantee you get a sublet? Here are some steps to approach your sublet search so that you can have the highest chances of getting a sublet.

§1. Be Among the First to Message

Listers often receive a flood of inquiries and usually only review the first few messages they get. To increase your chances of securing a response, aim to message within the first 30 minutes of a listing being posted. To stay ahead, you should:

Set Up Real-Time Notifications

Some platforms allow you to set up alerts for new listings, which can make all the difference since they help you act quickly.

Atlas Rooms: Atlas Rooms sends real-time notifications based on your search criteria. Listings usually appear within 10 minutes, so you’ll get alerts and can message listers right away.
Reddit: Reddit doesn’t offer listing-specific alerts. However, you can subscribe to subreddits like r/NYCapartments or r/NYCroommates for notifications on new posts.

§2. Send a Strong Initial Message

Your first message is your introduction. It’s what convinces the lister to consider you. Make it count by proving you're real using links to your LinkedIn or Instagram. Also show Financial Stability by mentioning your job, income, or ability to pay the rent on time.

§3. Use the Facebook Feed

Setting up a Facebook Feed can make searching for sublets much easier. First, join multiple private groups to access more listings. Then, use the feed to see all posts in one place instead of checking each group individually. While setting it up can be tricky, it’s a great way to save time and search more efficiently.

How to Set Up and Use the Facebook Feed

Go to Facebook: Log in to your account.
Access Feeds: On the left-hand sidebar, click on Feeds.
Select Groups: Under Feeds, click Groups.

The Facebook Feed shows posts from all your groups in one place, sorted by the most recent. This saves you time and effort by avoiding the need to check each group individually.

§4. Approach Your Search Strategically

Search Daily and Use Multiple Platforms

To stay competitive, make it a habit to check platforms regularly. Don’t stick to just one. Use Atlas Rooms, Facebook Groups, Reddit, Craigslist, and others to widen your options.

Filter Listings to Save Time

Focus on listings that meet your preferences. Filtering based on location, budget, and duration will help you avoid wasting time on irrelevant posts.

Set Up a Search Plan

Determine how often you’ll check each platform. For example:

Atlas Rooms: Refresh every hour or wait for real-time notifications if enabled.
Facebook Groups: Refresh every 30 minutes to an hour.
Reddit and Craigslist: Refresh hourly.
Listings Project: Review the newsletter when it arrives at 8 a.m. every Wednesday; no need to refresh.

Stick to the Plan

Once you’ve organized your search and set a schedule, stick to it. Consistency is key to staying ahead of the competition and finding the right sublet.