This week, readers visited Brick Underground to get a snapshot of New York City’s rental market—and it’s a crazy picture. Even though leasing activity is slowing, meaning demand for apartments is being “satiated,” rents surged last month compared to November 2020.

Also of interest: A grateful condo owner on the Upper East Side reached out to tell us about her doorman, who goes all out with holiday decorations. Turns out, he taps the entire staff for his version of Santa’s workshop. Check it out.

Here are this week's top five posts:

1) Holiday Tipping Guide: How much to tip your doorman, super, porter, and other staff

2) Manhattan's median rent jumped nearly 23 percent in November, despite falling demand

3) How to read a NYC co-op or condo building’s financial statement

4) A Yorkville doorman's flair for holiday decorating cheers Covid-weary condo owners

5) I broke my lease. Can my landlord keep the security deposit?