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These are Five of the Smallest Rental Apartments in America

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The renters of New York City are no stranger to tiny, cramped, barely-livable apartments, but even a Big Apple native might be surprised at the size of this Upper West Side rental. Measuring in at a minuscule 100 square feet, the not-even-studio is located on the fourth floor of a walk-up townhouse, has no stove or refrigerator, and still costs $1,000 per month. Worse yet—and this isn't really made clear in the admittedly frank brokerbabble—there's no window, just a skylight, and the shower and sink sit in the corner of the room. In fact, the foot of the bed cozies up to the shower stall. After signing on for a year of claustrophobia, renters will have to pay a brokers fee of "under $2,000." Oh good, what a deal.

? Despite the "Boston Best Rentals" watermark on the photos, we have a feeling this probably isn't among Boston's best rental properties. Sure, it's located in the desirable Back Bay, but at just 240 square feet, it is one cramped studio. The $1,175 per month rent does nothing to make this place more desirable.

? Tiny rentals aren't just a product of major cities, this studio is located Reading, Ohio and, same as the Boston place, measures 240 square feet. The difference here is a much reduced rent, try $345 per month, and a gratuitous photo of an open toilet. Apparently, there's not much here to photograph.

? At 338 square feet, this Chicago rental is almost 100 bigger than the last two and is within walking distance of Wrigley Field. Renting for $800 per month, the apartment benefits from building services like the "24-hour maintenance staff, package receiving room, bike storage and laundry room," but the interior is pretty bare bones. The views are of the neighboring building's brick wall.

? With a floor area of 340 square feet, this San Francisco rental is the biggest of the bunch and, honestly, the nicest. There are open views of the city and a space-saving murphy bed, but $1,500 per month is a pretty penny to be paying for a fourth-floor walk-up of this size.

· 114 W 71 [Streeteasy]
· 50 Charlesgate [Zillow]
· 9320 Reading Road [Zillow]
· 535 W Cornelia Ave APT 705 [Zillow]
· 195 7th St [Zillow]
· All Renters Week 2011 posts [Curbed National]