Get All Access for $5/mo

'I Literally Had to Beg': Influencers Say NYC Landlords Aren't Renting Them Apartments In a tight real estate market, even social media stars who earn six figures are finding it hard to land an apartment in the Big Apple.

By Jonathan Small

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Influencers have the power to boost online conversions and help brands spread the word about their products. But there is at least one group of people who don't seem influenced at all by their social media mojo—New York City landlords.

According to a story in The New York Post, landlords are saying fuggedaboutit to some TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube stars who want to lease apartments, even when they make well into six figures a year.

The issue? Due to the nature of their job, gig workers such as influencers and creatives cannot show paystubs proving consistent streams of monthly income from a third-party company. Couple this with a highly desirable and expensive real estate market, and many influencers can't compete with other renters.

Related: 'Where Does That Money Go?': A Look Inside New York City's Ruthless Housing Market

Take Kelsey Kotzur, a 29-year-old TikToker with over 144,000 followers. Kotzur told The Post she makes $250,000 a year thanks to brand deals with Skims and Delta Airlines. But after her rent shot up nearly 50 percent, Kotzur had to move back to her hometown in rural upstate New York.

@kelsey_kotzur

back in my element

♬ Au Revoir - Sweet After Tears

Kotzur said getting approved for a new New York City apartment has been a nightmare.

"It's nearly impossible because no one really understands my income and what I do. So that's been pretty difficult," she told The Post.

Another TikToker, Marissa Meizz, with 471,000 followers, said she also struggled to rent an NYC apartment.

"It was just so hard to get someone to trust me," she said. "I literally had to beg my landlord."

Despite providing them with proof of her income and sharing every paycheck she made last year, Meizz said the landlords still wanted a guarantor.

The problems with the gig economy

The challenges affecting influencers in NYC are hitting gig workers across the country. Many landlords and lenders require proof of income from permanent rather than freelance jobs to determine eligibility to rent an apartment or lease a car.

Living in the city isn't just a privilege for people like Kotzur. It's part of her brand. Many of her fashion videos feature New York City as an important backdrop.

"I am missing out on a ton of opportunities while I'm away from the city," she told The Post. "Career-wise, I'm definitely taking some losses."

Jonathan Small

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® VIP

Founder, Write About Now Media

Jonathan Small is an award-winning author, journalist, producer, and podcast host. For 25 years, he has worked as a sought-after storyteller for top media companies such as The New York Times, Hearst, Entrepreneur, and Condé Nast. He has held executive roles at Glamour, Fitness, and Entrepreneur and regularly contributes to The New York Times, TV Guide, Cosmo, Details, Maxim, and Good Housekeeping. He is the former “Jake” advice columnist for Glamour magazine and the “Guy Guru” at Cosmo.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Marketing

5 SEO Hacks to Help You Rank Fast

Discover the best SEO hacks you can use to rank fast and avoid waiting for months to see results.

Starting a Business

Inside the Exclusive Private Club Devoted to Food, Wine and the Arts

Barrett Wissman breaks down the passions and partnerships behind his latest venture Domus Artium Reserve.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Collaboration

Watch Out for These 5 Consequences of Too Much Collaboration

Beware of the collaboration trap! Too much collaboration causes overload, and well-intentioned efforts to have broad collaboration can backfire.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.