L
ong Island’s rental market remains fiercely competitive. With many tenants holding onto their homes and a scarcity of new builds, inventory is tight, experts note. RentCafe’s latest survey reports that renters nationwide endured a “challenging summer” during the busiest moving season. Locally, Long Islanders and their northern New Jersey counterparts are signing the longest leases in the country—14 months—surpassing the Northeast average of 13 months. Moreover, the average tenancy on Long Island lasts 40 months, outpacing the regional 36‑month norm.

    In the private‑rent segment, especially single‑family homes, “a lot of renters are staying put because of the economic uncertainty out there,” says Jeff Stineback, a Compass agent in Huntington. So there aren’t many rentals turning over, and those looking for a place find little inventory. A well‑maintained, attractive unit will move fast. Stineback notes that, in this tight market, some renters are now attempting to negotiate lower rents for units that need minor repairs—a rare trend he observes.

    High prices that surged during the pandemic continue to strain renters, particularly younger ones, according to Eileen Heimer of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty in Sea Cliff. The cost has risen so much that many young people can’t save enough to buy later, she says. Staying put feels like the only option, but the price keeps climbing.

    RentCafe data shows occupancy on Long Island hit 93.1 % this peak season, up from 92 % a year earlier, while new apartment supply grew only 0.42 %. In Long Beach, Kelly Forman of Compass notes a different dynamic. Demand is high, but there’s a decent supply of rentals—single‑family homes, condos, townhouses, bungalows, and seasonal units," she explains. Renters have choices, but prices remain steep because owners know their property’s value and are reluctant to lower rates.

    Stineback advises renters to stand out by being fully prepared: Have all documents and qualifications ready so you can make a strong first impression. Forman recommends treating the application like a résumé, clarifying must‑haves versus nice‑to‑haves, and researching how far a budget stretches in each market.

    Rachel Weiss, a Newsday reporter since 2016, covers real‑estate stories.