Finding an Apartment

NYC Buildings

Finding an apartment in New York City involves a considerable expenditure of time, effort and money. The East Village area surrounding the Cooper Union is a popular neighborhood and thus tends to be expensive. We strongly advise that students who wish to find apartments in the immediate neighborhood make their arrangements in early summer; by August, students are pouring into the neighborhood to attend Parsons, NYU, and other schools, as well as Cooper Union, and it is difficult to locate anything desirable.

In New York City, the standard lease is for one year and generally involves paying one month's security deposit to be kept for the duration of the lease by the landlord. Students under 18 or from out of town will often be asked for a guarantor. A guarantor signs the lease and agrees to pay if the student fails to do so.

Using a real estate broker is the most efficient way to locate an apartment, but can be expensive, costing approximately one month's rent.

Signing a Lease

A lease is a legally binding document. An excellent booklet you should acquire before signing a lease is "Tenants Rights", published by the Attorney General. Copies are available free of charge when ordered from online under the subheading "Housing."

Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

New York City's 311 hotline responds to complaints about landloards, New York State Division of Housing and Community Rental can answer question about rent stabilization laws and rent regulated apartments.

Homes and Community Renewal
(866) ASK-DHCR / (866) 275-3427

Department of Housing Preservation and Development

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.