10 Best Websites to Advertise Your Rental Properties (2024)

The way rentals are advertised has changed dramatically over the past decade. Not long ago, the only advertising options were paying for space in the newspaper, or putting a sign out in the yard. But thanks to the Internet, advertising rentals has never been easier.

Today, you only need three things: A phone, a laptop and some coffee. The Internet is the best way to get maximum exposure for your rental vacancies. In fact, one study found that a whopping61% of online apartment searchesbegin with either a search engine or an apartment listing site.

But with literally hundreds of listing sites out there, how can you be sure that your listing will be seen? How do you know where to spend your time and energy? In no particular order, here’s a list of the top 10 websites to list your rental property with.

Your Website

Your website should be the main advertising hub for your rental property listings. A website is a must-have platform where you can showcase everything your buyers need to know about your rentals.

Ideally, your website should have detailed descriptions about your properties, accompanied by beautiful, professional photos. You also have to optimize your site to bring in traffic and conversions, as well as include your contact details.

Also, make sure that your property management website is mobile friendly. After all, more and more people are using their phones to access the Internet. In fact,57% of visitorswill go somewhere else if your site takes more than three seconds to load. That’s why having a fast, up-to-date website and detailed listings is crucial.

Craigslist.org

10 Best Websites to Advertise Your Rental Properties (1)

With a whopping 50 billion page views per month, Craigslist is arguably the most popular site to get your rental property listed. Craigslist is an online classifieds site divided according to city areas. The site also has a forum section, where users can discuss topics of interest.

It doesn’t cost much to put up a listing on Craigslist. At the very least, the site allows you to upload your own photos and write your own descriptions.

Keep in mind, however, that Craigslist isn’t without scammers. Luckily, the site has been updating their policies such that landlords need to take additional steps to list their vacancies.

To help you get good leads on Craigslist, here’s what you can do.

  • Re-list your ad every other day. You need to keep updating the ad so it comes up on top of the list every day. This is because Craigslist sorts posts according to the most recently updated. The more recent the ad is, the better the exposure.
  • Include at least four photos of the most important rooms or features in your home. Craigslist allows you to post up to four photos for free. The site also provides additional options should you wish to display more. For maximum conversions, get help from a professional photographer. The more beautiful your photos, the more buyers will want to stay in your rental.
  • Write a high-quality description. Make it brief and to the point. Remember to include information the way a professional realtor would.

Apartments.com

10 Best Websites to Advertise Your Rental Properties (2)

This is a great site to list if you have an apartment complex. It works well for houses too. The site claims to offer renters access to more than 500,000 available units for rent. Like most tools,apartments.comoffers standard search parameters.

If you’re looking to list your property on this website, you need to pay a monthly listing fee. Some benefits of listing your management company withapartments.cominclude;

  • An easy to use search function for tenants
  • Opportunities for potential tenants to save money on deposits and rent
  • Targeted results. Apartments.com displays rental properties narrowed down according to specific neighborhoods
  • The ability to map amenities in a search area. For example, you can find coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, etc.

It’s worth noting that theapartments.comnetwork of home rental sites includes ApartmentHomeLiving.com, ApartmentFinder.com, and Apartments.com.

Move.com

10 Best Websites to Advertise Your Rental Properties (3)

Move.com is a member of a large network of websites that covers different aspects of the real estate industry. It provides detailed rental listings, tips on financing, moving, apartments for rent, rentals and more.

Listing your rental property withmove.com provides the following advantages.

  • Providing prospective tenants a wide range of information. This includes the price history of the home as far back in time as possible.
  • The property listings are separated into different categories. Each of these categories includes detailed information. For example, besides displaying the listings, there are also informational articles that help educate the prospective renter.

Realtor.com

10 Best Websites to Advertise Your Rental Properties (4)

This website allows you to advertise your rental property for free. They even have a mobile app, which most tenants prefer to use nowadays. If you want, realtor.com can manage both rentals and real estate sales for you.

Some of the pros ofrealtor.com are:

  • A straightforward, user-friendly website
  • The filters. This helps prospective tenants narrow down the most relevant results.
  • The mobile app. Realtor.com has a notification function, providing prospective tenants up-to-date info about listed properties.

Zillow Rental Manager

10 Best Websites to Advertise Your Rental Properties (5)

Formerly Postlets, Zillow Rental Manager will list your rental property on about 26 partner sites. These sites include MSN Real Estate, HotPads, Zillow, and Trulia. Because of the way they create detailed listings, Zillow Rental Manager is a favorite among landlords.

Some benefits of listing with Zillow Rental Manager include:

  • Distributing your rental property to a variety of listings. This gets your property as much exposure as possible.
  • The large database. To date, Zillow Rental Manager lists over 110 million homes.
  • More than two dozen apps across all major platforms
  • Free use of the site, even if you only have less than 50 units
  • Allowing prospective tenants to compare listings side by side
  • Functionalities that sort properties according to their features

Cozy.co

10 Best Websites to Advertise Your Rental Properties (6)

Cozy is free to use. It can be super effective in helping you get high quality leads.

Cozy integrates various factors into one property management tool. These factors include rent collection, the lease, credit check, background check, listings, and rental application.

There are several ways Cozy differs from other sites.

  • Listings are syndicated with Oodle.com. Doorsteps.com and Realtor.com.
  • Increased control over who’s looking at your rental property.
  • Flexibility and dynamism. You can share your URL via text message, or you can paste the listing URL into any other online listing.
  • When you create a listing using Cozy, you can post it on your email list, Twitter and Facebook accounts.
  • Cozy can be used side by side with every other property listing service.

Trulia.com

10 Best Websites to Advertise Your Rental Properties (7)

With Trulia, you can post your home and apartment rental listings for free. They’ll also feed your listing to no less than 20 other sites for maximum exposure.

Trulia’s design and layout is attractive and easy to use. Renters are allowed to set parameters to see a group of photo listings with important stats.

Other benefits of Trulia include:

  • A boatload of info. There are properties for sale and rent, community insights, neighborhood information and parcel listings.
  • Being able to upload as many pictures of your home as you like
  • Ability to post contact info and open-house schedules
  • Search filters that help in narrowing down a highly specific selection of homes

Livelovely.com

10 Best Websites to Advertise Your Rental Properties (8)

Livelovely.com has a very simple format, complete with an attractive sitemap. It is also available as a mobile application. Using it as a landlord or property manager will cost you money. However, it is completely free for renters searching for available properties.

Benefits of using Livelovely.com include:

  • Being able to use it as a way to promote and share their rental properties. You can also use it to collect rent from tenants if you choose.
  • A dedicated tool specifically designed to locate and identify the best possible tenants for your properties
  • The Lovely apartment app, which processes information in real time
  • A smorgasbord of tools for prospecting tenants, which help them narrow down the specific property they’re searching for

Walkscore.com

10 Best Websites to Advertise Your Rental Properties (9)

The website WalkScore rates neighborhoods according to “walkability,” or proximity to nearby amenities. These amenities include libraries, schools, movie theaters, restaurants, grocery stores and more.

Simply put, WalkScore helps tenants find a walkable place to live. It assigns a number between zero to 100 that measures the walkability of any address — zero being the least walkable distance, and 100 being the “Walker’s Paradise.”

Posting rental properties on WalkScore is totally free.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a good idea where to list your rental property the next time you have a vacancy. If you post to most of these, you’ll undoubtedly have a hit on all the major online rental marketplaces. Try these sites today, and drastically increase your chances of finding a good tenant.

10 Best Websites to Advertise Your Rental Properties (2024)

FAQs

What is the best rental property website? ›

The 7 best home rental sites and apps of 2022
  1. Apartments.com: Best overall. ...
  2. Zillow: Best for location-based rental searches. ...
  3. Craigslist: Best free option. ...
  4. PadMapper: Best for extras. ...
  5. Zumper: Best startup app for rentals. ...
  6. HotPads: Best for big city searches. ...
  7. Rent.com: Best for first-time renters.
6 May 2022

What is the best short term rental site? ›

The 7 Best Short Term Rental Sites for Hosts
  • Airbnb. It's the most well-known, as well as the fastest growing, and that's in large part because it's one of the best. ...
  • Vrbo. ...
  • Booking.com. ...
  • Expedia. ...
  • Vacasa. ...
  • Homestay.com. ...
  • Atraveo. ...
  • Don't Limit Yourself to Just One Short Term Rental Site.
29 Mar 2022

How can I make my rental offer more attractive? ›

5 Easy Ways to Make Your Rental Listings More Attractive
  1. Upload at least 5 clear images.
  2. Write a detailed description.
  3. Give as much information as possible.
  4. Make sure your calendar is up to date.
  5. Make your profile look trustworthy.
24 Jul 2022

How can I advertise my rental property for free? ›

By far the most effective way to advertise your rental property for free online is through rental listing sites such as Zillow and Apartments.com. The reasons are multiple: You can “borrow” from each platform to access thousands of potential leads in your area just by putting up your listing.

Which is best property website? ›

The 7 Best Real Estate Websites of 2022
  • Best Overall: Zillow.
  • Most Accurate: Realtor.com.
  • Best Mobile App: Trulia.
  • Best for Foreclosures: Foreclosure.com.
  • Best for Renting: Apartments.com.
  • Best for “For Sale By Owner”: FSBO.com.
  • Best for Heroes: Homes for Heroes.

Is Zillow trustworthy? ›

Zillow is fine for what it is: one tool of many that homebuyers can use as they begin their search. However, it should never be used as a substitute for due diligence and research. Buying a home may be one of the most significant purchases of your life, so it's worth taking your time to know what you're getting into.

Is Zumper a real website? ›

What is Zumper? Zumper is the largest privately owned rental platform in North America with more than 175 million visits per year. We're proud to have been named a 2021 Best Startup Employer by Forbes and a 2021 Best Place to Work/Company with the Best Benefits by BuiltIn SF.

Is trulia legitimate? ›

Trulia has an entire team dedicated to reviewing rental properties and double checking listing feeds. There is an automated algorithm that scores listings based on historical data and removes listings most likely to be fraudulent. New accounts and listings are verified to have a valid U.S. phone number and IP address.

Where can I advertise my vacation rental? ›

The Most Popular Vacation Rental Listing Websites

The most popular vacation rental sites are Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Tripadvisor. These online travel agencies (OTAs) are the most common places people go to book a short-term rental.

Is there anything similar to Airbnb? ›

Airbnb competitors include websites like Vrbo, Booking.com, Tripadvisor, Agoda, Expedia, TUI Villas, TravelStaytion, HomeToGo, Plum Guide, and Google. Not all of them are vacation rental marketplaces.

What are Vrbo host fees? ›

A 5% commission fee is charged on the rental amount and any additional fees you charge the traveler (such as cleaning, pet, and boat fees). Bookings that originate from our expanded distribution partners may have higher fees.

How do I make my rental property stand out? ›

How to Make Your Rental Property Stand Out and Show Well
  1. Curb Appeal. If the exterior of your property is not clean, it will give the impression that the rest of the property isn't taken care of and your prospective tenants won't want to go inside. ...
  2. Consider Staging. ...
  3. Highlight Focal Points. ...
  4. Do Basic Repairs. ...
  5. Keep it Simple.

How do landlords choose between applicants? ›

Most of the time, the apartment will go to whoever has the best credit report and references and whoever is most financially qualified for the apartment, without a criminal record or history of problems, evictions, etc.

What makes a great tenant letter? ›

I'm committed to being a respectful, reliable tenant and a good neighbor, who will pay my rent on time, care for the property and communicate with you whenever needed. Please feel free to contact my references or me personally with any questions or concerns.

Why is my rental listing not showing up on Zillow? ›

Zillow now requires a paid agreement to be in place in order to advertise on their sites (Zillow, Trulia and HotPads). Without a paid agreement, your rentals will not be listed. To inquire about and set up a paid agreement with Zillow Group, please reach out to rentalshelp@zillowgroup.com.

Is Zillow free? ›

On Zillow, it's free to list a home for sale by owner or agent and to list a property for rent. Zillow's online and mobile search tools, including its smartphone app, let users search for a property and view estimated property values for free, too.

How do I advertise a rental property on Facebook? ›

How to Post a Rental on Facebook Marketplace - YouTube

Who is the biggest competitor of Zillow? ›

For core listing services, Realtor.com is their biggest competitor. What site is better than Zillow? Zillow's real estate offerings are some of the most comprehensive, but Redfin and Realtor.com offer some comparable services, especially in terms of home valuation.

What is the most used real estate website? ›

Zillow is the largest real estate website in the United States, ranked by visitor traffic. In the last year, Zillow averaged 68 million monthly visitors.

How do I create a website for my real estate listing? ›

So here, is the step-by-step procedure on how to create a fully-functional and complete real estate directory website.
  1. Your website needs its address and web-space(Domain and Hosting)
  2. Initial setup of your website.
  3. Make it look the way you want.
  4. Add properties to display.
  5. Get paid for advertisem*nts.
  6. Accept online payments.
3 Nov 2020

Why are people worried about Zillow? ›

Zillow does not update or remove sold properties. They engage in “false advertising,” listing homes for sales as foreclosures. Their Zestimates are inaccurate by as much as $14,000 but are often used by consumers as legitimate sale prices.

Is it safe to give Zillow my SSN? ›

You can use our tools to pull your credit report and criminal background check to include in your application, but Zillow doesn't store your Social Security number and we don't collect or see the credit or background check reports.

Does Zillow verify rental listings? ›

Verified Source indicates the listing is sent to Zillow from a known and established property manager or property manager's representative. Listings will show a Verified Source designation (image below) in the contact manager form on the right hand side of the listing.

Why does Zumper ask for my bank account? ›

This helps them verify that you actually have a bank account and you're able to cover the rent. They may also use your bank account to extract missing rent payments.

Is furnished Finder legit? ›

This is definitely a scam. After almost a year of paid listings, I have zero success renting a very desirable room in a highly desireable community. Don't buy into it.

How do I post an ad on Zumper? ›

Listing a Property
  1. Log into your account at www.zumper.com/manage.
  2. Click the "Add a Property" button on the right side of the screen.
  3. Follow the prompts regarding entering all property information.
  4. Be sure to publish your listing at the end of the process.

What is better than Zillow? ›

With a 4.26 out of 5 score, we've selected Realtor.com as the best Zillow alternative. It has a straightforward pricing structure that includes a flat advertising fee along with advertising costs varying by ZIP code. The platform has the highest monthly search volume out of the six Zillow competitors evaluated.

What's the difference between Trulia and Zillow? ›

Zillow and Trulia are real estate databases that offer for-sale and rental listings and connect people with listing agents. Zillow provides users with a highly graphic experience when searching for properties, while Trulia has a simpler website design.

Do Zillow and Trulia have the same listings? ›

Trulia is another popular real estate website. It's owned by Zillow, so both websites display the same listings and property information.

How do I advertise my vacation property? ›

Create an Eye-Catching Listing
  1. Include Professional Photography.
  2. Make Sure Google (and Guests) Can Find Your Home.
  3. Price Your Home Competitively.
  4. List on Multiple Marketplaces.
  5. Build a Vacation Rental Email Marketing Strategy.
  6. Use Social Media to Your Advantage.
  7. Respond Promptly and Effectively.
2 Nov 2021

How much is it to advertise on TravelNest? ›

We keep things simple with a 5% TravelNest service fee per booking, plus a channel fee of 15% per booking. You'll have access to all our 30+ channels, all our great product features and optimisation expertise to help you create great listings that attract bookings. Next Is there a minimum tie-in period?

How do I promote my property on Vrbo? ›

How do I get my listing to the top of Vrbo?
  1. Include all amenities. Don't leave anything out when you're adding amenities and features to your listing. ...
  2. Apply location tags. ...
  3. Promote your safety practices. ...
  4. Property specifications. ...
  5. Upload attractive photos. ...
  6. Write a catchy headline. ...
  7. Add a detailed description. ...
  8. Avoid cancellations.
14 Apr 2021

What percentage does Airbnb take? ›

The Airbnb host fee contributes to the smooth running of the invaluable services that Airbnb offer, from customer support to protection for your property, should any damage be inflicted on it. Depending on the plan you decide to use, you can expect Airbnb to take a percentage of 3% or 15%.

Who is Airbnb biggest competitor? ›

Global Airbnb competitors
  1. Vrbo. Part of the HomeAway group, Vrbo (originally known as “Vacation Rentals”) is the world's second-largest short-term rental company, next to Airbnb. ...
  2. Wimdu. ...
  3. Booking.com. ...
  4. Expedia. ...
  5. TripAdvisor. ...
  6. Agoda. ...
  7. Trip.com. ...
  8. GlampingHub.
2 Mar 2022

How long does it take to get paid from Vrbo? ›

Processing timeline

Your payouts are sent approximately one business day after your guest checks in. Depending on your bank's policies, the money will be available in your bank account approximately five to seven business days later.

Do Vrbo owners make money? ›

Yes, listing your vacation home on Vrbo is a good way to make money. Not only is it one of the most popular vacation rental sites in the world (attracting 15.9 million visitors each month), Vrbo also cross posts its properties to fellow Expedia-owned sites.

How do you get paid on Vrbo? ›

Your payouts will typically be disbursed one business day after your guest checks in. The money should be available in your bank account 5–7 business days later. If you're a new partner, the payout for your first booking should be disbursed to your bank account 30 days after the guest's payment.

What is the best sheen for a rental property? ›

The recommended finish for your rental property is eggshell, followed by satin, as they are easier to clean. They are attractive and easy to clean. Although hi-gloss is the easiest to clean, it may not be appealing due to its sheen.

What color should you paint a rental house? ›

Choose Trendy but Neutral Paint Colors

Some of the best colors to paint a rental property are trendy but neutral. These colors will appeal to a wide range of potential tenants and will make your property more marketable. Some good examples of trendy but neutral colors include gray, beige, taupe, and white.

What paint to use in rental property? ›

The best choices for rental properties are typically satin and semi-gloss paint. These durable paint finishes roll onto walls beautifully and also make wiping off crayon, scuff marks, dirt, and even grease easy.

What does a landlord look for in a tenant? ›

Landlords may look at your credit, rental history, income and criminal background—all to get a sense of what kind of tenant you would be. Remember that landlords aren't necessarily expecting to find perfect credit scores, sky-high incomes and spotless backgrounds.

Do landlords prefer families? ›

In a recent study performed by Intus Lettings, 500 landlords were asked to reveal what type of person makes their perfect tenant. According to the poll, the majority of landlords would prefer a couple with no children, with 29% of landlords stating they would prefer to rent to that demographic.

What qualities do you value most in a landlord? ›

If you want to be a good landlord, make sure your rental properties are well-maintained, respond to major issues as quickly and efficiently as possible, and always keep a professional relationship.

What is an ideal tenant? ›

Good tenants take care of their home even though they don't own the property. They are not shy about doing work to the property or small repairs and even improve the conditions at their own cost. Good tenants report every repair issue on time, so it can be fixed in due time.

What do you say when a landlord asks Tell me about yourself? ›

To make a good impression on your landlord, you should describe yourself as the best tenant in a cover letter. Drop a few lines about your lifestyle and say what kind of person you are. If your background is not impeccable, provide a brief explanation of why you had issues in the past and what you did to fix them.

How do I find rental properties in the UK? ›

Here's a list with the 10 websites you can't miss when looking for a property to rent in the UK.
  1. RightMove. Whether you are thinking about buying or renting, Rightmove has your back. ...
  2. Zoopla. ...
  3. Open Rent. ...
  4. Find a Hood. ...
  5. Gumtree. ...
  6. SpareRoom. ...
  7. MoveBubble. ...
  8. RoomGo.

Where is the best place to rent UK? ›

The top five most in-demand areas to rent outside of London were reported to be areas in the South and North of England, as well as in Scotland.
...
Best choice for renters by region.
Top LocationsRegion/CountryAvg. Asking rent per month (2 bed)
CardiffWales£750
BirminghamWest Midlands£760
SalfordNorth West£842
8 more rows

How do I find a private landlord UK? ›

Use free websites such as Spareroom or Gumtree or post your advert on social media sites. You may also be able to put adverts up for free in local shops or community centres.” You could also find places that are for rent and look them up using a property search website.

Which is the best property website UK? ›

The list of the best property websites in the UK:
  • Zoopla.
  • OnTheMarket.
  • Rightmove.
  • Boomin.
  • Prime Location.
  • Placebuzz.
  • Mitula.
  • Home.

Which website is best for rental property UK? ›

Best Rental Websites In The UK
  • Rentright.co.UK.
  • Zoopla.
  • Rightmove.
  • Open Rent.
  • SpareRoom.
  • Gumtree.
  • RoomGo.
  • Ideal Flatmate.
25 Jun 2022

Is there a Zillow for the UK? ›

In the United Kingdom, there is no one website that dominates the online real estate market like Zillow does in the United States. There are a variety of property websites that cater to different audiences and serve different purposes. Three popular property websites in the UK are Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket.

How do I get around no DSS? ›

Tips For DSS/Benefit Tenants That Can't Find A Property To Rent
  1. 1] Rental History. ...
  2. 2] Get a Guarantor. ...
  3. 3] Rent Guarantee Insurance. ...
  4. 4] Get the council to pay directly to landlords. ...
  5. 5] Look in newspapers and websites like Gumtree. ...
  6. 6] Offer to put down a bigger security deposit. ...
  7. 7] Yes to DSS.

What is the cheapest city to live in England? ›

10 most affordable towns in the UK for 2022
  • Ferryhill, County Durham (£80,400)
  • Stevenston, North Ayreshire (£88, 800)
  • Cumnock, East Ayreshire (£89,400)
  • Peterlee, County Durham (£84, 200)
  • Egremont, Copeland (£120,900)
  • Girvan, South Ayrshire (£105,000)
  • Irvine, North Ayrshire (£102, 100)
  • Millom, Copeland (£131, 500)
14 Apr 2022

What is a good rental yield UK? ›

As a general rule of thumb, a rental yield of around 7% or higher tends to be considered a very good yield for a buy-to-let property. If you're a landlord looking for the best cities in the UK to purchase buy-to-let property, then you've arrived at the right place.

Which city in the UK has the cheapest rent? ›

Bolton in Greater Manchester is the cheapest, with average monthly rent for a property of that size just £386. Planning a move? Find out more about the study and see the full results here.

How do I rent my house privately? ›

The first step to renting out a house privately is getting it shipshape and ready for tenants.
  1. Cover off the basics. ...
  2. Clean, clean, clean. ...
  3. Fix it up. ...
  4. Tidy up outside. ...
  5. Quick updates. ...
  6. Look at the market. ...
  7. Assess the property's features. ...
  8. Consider expenses.
19 Aug 2020

Why is it so hard to rent a house UK? ›

High demand and lack of housing supply have led to landlords and agencies raising rents to record levels at a time when soaring energy prices and rising inflation mean millions are already struggling to keep up with bills.

Do private landlords do credit checks? ›

Credit checks

Your letting agent and some landlords will do a credit check to see if you've had problems paying bills in the past. They must get your permission first. It's less common for private landlords to do credit checks because they can make it take longer to rent out a property.

Is Zoopla better than Rightmove? ›

Rightmove is typically the best for traffic with around 127.5 million visits per month. This is significantly higher than Zoopla's average of 60 million.

Is on the market better than Rightmove? ›

OnTheMarket has the best visual display as there is less clutter, and search filters can be displayed or hidden. If what matters most is the widest availability of property, we recommend Rightmove. If technology is not your strong point and ease of use if of importance to you, we recommend On The Market.

Which property search is best? ›

Rightmove is currently the market leader. In 2021, Rightmove says it had 208 million visits per month across its platforms and Zoopla says its listing search results pages attracted over 120 million visits per month. If you're looking to buy then you'll want to know how many properties are listed.

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