āļø Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.
Landlords have a 46.9% turnover rate for their rental properties. Moreover, the vacancy index has increased from 4.1% in 2021 to 6.6% in 2023. Landlords are compelled to find new ways to look for potential renters. And online rental websites have emerged as a fruitful avenue.
67% of renters use rental websites to look for properties. These websites help both landlords and renters look for alternatives that meet their requirements.
After evaluating hundreds of websites, we have selected the 7 best rental websites in America for you to choose from.
š 7 Top Rental Websites in America
- Zillow Rental Manager: Best Overall
- Craigslist: Largest Selection of Classified Ads
- Apartments.com: Best for Attracting Qualified Renters
- HotPads: Best Interface
- Rentometer: Best for Rent Comparisons
- Zumper: Best for Quick Renters
- Avail: Best for Landlords
1. Zillow Rental Manager
Overall Best
Listing Fee: $29.99
1.5/5 (300+ reviews)Zillow Rental Manager is the largest rental website in America.
For Landlords:Ā
- Free Listing: It allows you to post your property’s basic information, including photos, descriptions, and pricing.
- Premium Listing $29.99: It includes maximum exposure, customized insights, and priority support.
For Renters:Ā
- Online payments are free if they pay with ACH (bank transfer).
- If they pay rent with a credit card then 2.95% fee and a $9.95 convenience fee for debit payments.
š Our Take:Ā Zillow offers landlords an on-demand experience for renting vacant properties. Its premium listing benefits are for 90 days. Moreover, other companies do not provide these benefits for such a long duration.
Here are some advantages of choosing Zillow:
- Huge Traffic: Zillow has over 30 million visitors each month. That makes Zillow the best website for rental listings.
- Tech Tools: It offers a built-in tenant screening tool, rent collection feature, owner portal, pricing suggestions, etc.
- Additional Exposure: Rental properties are listed on Zillow, Trulia, and HotPads for free.
- Nationwide Coverage: Zillow Rental Manager is present in all 50 states in America.
Here are some disadvantages of choosing Zillow:
- Poor Customer Reviews: It has low ratings on Trustpilot. Customers have complained about inaccurate listings.
Zillow has a rating ofĀ 1.5 out of 5Ā stars rating onĀ Trustpilot.
Zillow is a real estate marketplace that was established in 2004. It is headquartered in Seattle, WA. It offers rental listings, lease agreements, rental applications, and many more.
However, Zillow has poor customer reviews. Customers often complain about slow and unresponsive customer service.
2. Craigslist
BIGGEST CLASSIFIEDS
No Listing Fee.
3.3/5
(700+ reviews)Craigslist is a popular classifieds website with an astounding 50 million plus monthly visitors.
For Landlords:
- All Craigslist listings for landlords are free.
- Apartment rentals in Boston, Chicago, and NYC areas at $5 fee.
For Renters:
- Renters may easily browse nearby homes because Craigslist automatically picks a location based on the renter’s location when they visit the website.
šĀ Our Take: Craigslist is one of the most visited rental websites. Because of the traffic,Ā scammers may use this site to post fake ads or listings. However, Craiglist has updated its policies to avoid rental scams. So, landlords need to do a couple of extra steps for listing vacancies.
Here are some key pros to consider:
- Free To Use: Craigslist does not charge any fee to list property. This makes it an affordable option for landlords and renters.
- User-Friendly Website: Craigslistās website is easy to navigate. This helps landlords to create their listings easily and add property information seamlessly.
- Huge Traffic: According to Similarweb, Craigslist is the most visited classified website in the USA.
Here are some disadvantages you should look at before choosing them.
- Scammers and Pranksters: Craigslist is infamous for being a playground for scammers.Ā Many people who list their homes on Craigslist get unsolicited calls from scammers.
- Short Lifespan of Ads: Craigslist ads are listed in reverse chronological order. The newest ones usually get the most traffic. The older ads get pushed down.
CraigslistĀ has a rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars onĀ Sitejabber.
Craigslist is a California-based company that was founded by Craig Newmark in 1995. It is one of the most visited websites in the world. It offers a wide range of listings, including jobs, housing, for sale, and many more.
However, its dashboard is not easy to navigate. Also, some customers have complained about potential scams.
3. Apartments.com
ATTRACTS QUALIFIED RENTERS
Listing Fee Is Not Discolsed.
2.5/5
(100+ reviews)Apartments.com is the best option for eager renters with more than 81 million visitors per month. It is one of the top rent-a-home websites.
For Landlords:Ā
- The listing fee is not disclosed on their website, you need to contact the company for it.
For Renters:Ā
- Application Fee: Apartments.com charges $29+ tax as an application fee from renters. This allows them to apply to 10 apartments in a 30-day period.
š Our Take: Apartments.com can be handy for apartment hunting, but it’s good to keep in mind its limits. It does not disclose listing fees on its website as other companies do.
Here are some advantages of Apartments.com:
- Comprehensive Search Criteria: It offers multiple search filters like location, pet-friendly apartments, etc.
- Online Rent Collection: Landlords can collect rent payments and security deposits online for all their rental listings.
- Free to Search Properties: Renters can research properties for free in both the mobile app and on the website.
- Travel Time Feature: The travel time feature lets tenants search for rentals in proximity to a specific address.
Here are some disadvantages you should look at before choosing Apartments.com.
- Less User-Friendly: The mobile application is less user-friendly than the website.
- Accuracy of Listings: Customers have complained about inaccurate or incomplete information about the property.
- Poor Customer Reviews: Its customers have faced difficulties in contacting landlords or property managers.
Apartments.com hasĀ 2.5 out of 5 starsĀ on Sitejabber.
Apartments.com is headquartered in Washington, DC. It has a network of 10 leading sites including ForRent.com, ApartmentFinder.com, etc. It offers landlords a tenant screening tool for credit and background checks of renters.
However, some landlords have complained about Apartments.com’s poor customer service.
4. HotPads
Comprehensive Searching Criteria
No Listing Fee. 1.6/5
(30+ reviews)HotPads is a popular rental website in America. It is part of the Zillow Group.
For Landlords:
- HotPads offers free applications and tenant screening reports for landlords.
For Renters:
- Hotpads charges a $35 fee from renters which allows them to apply for unlimited rentals for 30 days.
š Our Take: Hotpads has an easy-to-use interface with very useful features for landlords and tenants. It also offers landlords free application and tenant screening reports.
Here are some advantages of choosing HotPads:
- Map-Based Search: Hotpads offers a map-based search feature that lets you look for neighborhood amenities.
- Comprehensive Search Criteria: It has many search filters like geography, pet-friendly apartments, etc.
- Custom Alerts:Ā With your personal HotPads account, you can track your favorite properties and receive custom alerts about new listings.
- Mobile App: HotPads offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android users. It provides its users with search and contact features.
Here are some disadvantages of choosing HotPads:
- Poor Customer Reviews: HotPads has 1.6 stars from 30+ reviews. This indicates that most customers are dissatisfied with their purchases.
- Accuracy of Listings: Customers have complained about inaccurate or incomplete information about the property.
HotPads.com hasĀ 1.6 out of 5-starĀ ratings onĀ Sitejabber.
HotPads was established in Washington, DC, in 2005 and is owned by Zillow. It offers listings and save search features. It also has a personalized dashboard to view your search history and manage your account settings.
However, HotPads is a syndication site, which means that the listings are aggregated from other websites. As a result, some of them may be inaccurate and outdated.
5. Rentometer
Best For Rent Comparisons
Listing Fee: $79 - $199
4/5
(30+ reviews)Rentometer offers detailed rental comparisons nationwide.
For Landlords:
- Basic Plan ($79): It includes quick views and 5 pro reports with an access duration of 1 year.
- Pro Plan ($199): It includes quick views, 200 pro reports, and Rentometer tools and API with an access duration of 1 year.
- Monthly Plan ($29): It includes quick views and 10 pro reports with monthly access.
For Renters:
Rentometer does not charge renters any fee.
š Our Take: Rentometer provides better and more detailed information than other websites to compare rental costs. It gives a wider range of options and more in-depth details about the renters.
Here are some advantages of Rentometer:
- Free Trial: Rentometer offers a 7-day free trial for landlords to list their rental properties.
- Batch Processor: It allows landlords to analyze a large number of rental properties at once.
- Rent Calculator: This tool allows landlords to estimate the rental rate for their property based on factors such as location, size, and amenities.
- Rent Comp Report: This tool provides landlords with a detailed report of comparable rental listings in their area.
- Report Branding: It allows landlords to customize their rent comp reports with their own branding.
- Lead Generation: Landlords can generate leads from potential tenants using this tool.
Here are some disadvantages you should look at before choosing Rentometer.
- Paid Subscription: For additional features, landlords require a paid subscription.
- Mobile App: Rentometer does not provide any mobile app service.
Rentometer has 4Ā out of 5Ā stars ratings onĀ Google.
Rentometer is located in Massachusetts. It is an online platform that provides data on rental rates and tools for tenants and landlords. It offers a rent calculator, rent comps, and rent comparisons.
However, Rentometer’s Pro package is relatively expensive, especially for landlords who manage many properties.
6. Zumper
BEST FOR QUICK RENTALS
Listing is free till 10 units 1.6/5
(30+ reviews)Zumper is an excellent rental website and has an average of 7 million monthly users.
For Landlords:
It offers 3 monthly listing plans:
- $9.90 /Listing: It includes 10 live listings for $99 per month.
- $9.27 /Listing: It includes 15 live listings for $139 per month.
- $7.96 /Listing: It includes 25 live listings for $199 per month.
For Renters:
- Application Fee: Zumper charges $30 as an application fee from renters.
š Our Take: Zumper offers a convenient platform for both landlords and renters. However, renters have to pay an additional charge other than an application fee if asked by the landlord.
Here are some advantages of Zumper:
- Listing Categories: It offers property features like number of rooms, price, property type, neighborhood, and amenities.
- Tools: It provides credit report, background check, eviction history, lease signing, and rent collection.
Here are some disadvantages you should look at before choosing them.
- Additional Charges:Ā The application fee is $30 but it can vary depending on the landlord.
- Poor Customer Reviews: Zumper has very poor customer reviews. Customers have complained about non-responsive customer support.
Zumper has a rating ofĀ 1.6 out of 5Ā stars ratings onĀ Trustpilot.
Zumper.com has its headquarters in San Francisco, California. It offers a search engine with features like search filters, neighborhood guides, and rental history checks.
However, during our research, we found out its website is not user-friendly.
7. Avail
BEST FOR LANDLORDS
Listing Fee: $0 - $7/Unit2.9/5
Avail is part of Realtor.comĀ®. It is a platform designed for landlords and renters.
For Landlords:
- Unlimited Plan – $0/Unit (unlimited units): It includes listing syndication to Realtor.com, Apartments.com, and Rentable, background screening, online rent collection, etc.
- Unlimited Plus Plan – $7/Unit (per month): In addition to the Unlimited plan it includes “Fast pay” rent Payment, waived ACH fees, and much more.
For Renters:
- Application Fees:Ā The cost of credit, criminal background, and eviction checks vary by location due to state laws.
- Payment Fees:Ā With the Unlimited Plan, tenants have to pay $2.50 per bank transfer. If a credit or debit card is used, a 3.5% processing fee is added.
- Renters Insurance:Ā This rate varies based on the tenant and the property.
š Our Take: Avail.co is a good option for landlords and renters. It helps landlords and renters manage their rental properties and streamline their rental experience. However, their additional costs make it a less-than-ideal choice. Other companies offer the same services at an affordable price.
Here are some advantages of Avail.co:
- FastPay:Ā Avail FastPay feature allows landlords to receive rent payments the next business day.
- User-Friendly Website: Avail has an easy-to-navigate user interface. It is easy to manage property-related tasks.
- Track Maintenance: It allows landlords to track maintenance requests and expenses from start to finish.
- Avail Landlord Software:Ā This software helps landlords find tenants, view credit history, sign leases, and collect rent from any device.
Here are some disadvantages you should look at before choosing them.
- Additional Charges: Avail charges $30 each for credit history, nationwide criminal background, and eviction checks or you can buy them as a bundle for $55.
- Short Listing Inventory: Avail has fewer features for the landlord to highlight their property. It has a minimum list of search filters that applicants may use to search for a property.
- Renters Pay a High Fee: Renters have to pay $2.50 for every bank transfer. They are also responsible for the screening report fees.
Avail has a rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars from 10+ users on Trustpilot.
Avail.co is an Illinois-based company. It is a one-stop shop for landlords and tenants. It offers features such as rent payments, maintenance requests, and lease management.
However, it has been criticized for its high fees and poor customer service.
What Is a Rental Website?
A rental website is an online marketplace where landlords may list available properties, and renters can look for rental homes.
A rental website provides an Internet Listing Service (ILS) to list vacant houses. It allows landlords to reach a large number of tenants, book more tours, and sign leases faster.
Best Tips to Fill Rental Vacant Homes Fast
Here are some tips to fill vacant rental properties quickly:
- Landlords should consider staging their homes before listing them on rental listing sites. This will help them attract more tenants.
- They should choose a professional real estate photographer. This will help them to get good-quality photographs.
- Virtual staging is also a good option for landlords. But, they should use good quality images to improve their traffic.
- If landlords have a good budget, they should consider adding drone photographs. They can also take some exterior photos to highlight the curb appeal.
Ā» Best Home Staging Companies: Home staging companies stage and prep your house for listing photographs and walkthroughs!
Benefits of Using the Best Websites for Rental in America
There are many benefits to using the rental websites in America, including:
- Convenience: Rental websites allow landlords to list their rental properties. It helps these listings reach a wider audience as websites are visited by millions of people every month.
- Variety: It provides many rental tools to landlords like property management software, rent collection tools, and tenant screening tools.
- Transparency: It offers comprehensive data about tenants. This enables landlords to evaluate several homes and come to a well-informed conclusion.
- Efficiency: It can help to streamline the rental process. Landlords and tenants can talk and communicate through the website.
Ā» Best Home Buying Websites: Read about the rankings of 2024ās best house hunting websites.
How to Choose the Best Rental Websites in America?
Here are some factors you need to consider when selecting the best renting websites.
For Landlords:
- Cost: Rental websites charge you a fee to list your property. This fee depends on the website and its features. It is important to compare the fees with other websites before you choose one.
- Features: You should choose a website that provides tenant screening, online applications, and rent collection features.
- Reach: It is important to select a website that will give maximum exposure to your listing.
- Ease of use: The website should be well-designed and easy to navigate. It should also be easy for you to list your rental properties.
- Read reviews: Before you choose a rental website, read reviews from other landlords. This can help you to learn about the pros and cons of the company.
For Tenants:
- Selection: Take a peek at the number of rental properties listed on the website. It needs to have a range of locations, rates, and property types.
- Cost: You can check if the website charges a fee or is free to use. You should also compare the fee with other rental websites.
- Accuracy: You need to verify the data derived from client testimonials. The rental properties should include accurate and current photos and descriptions.
- Features: The website should have features like a search filter and saving favorite listings. You should also be able to contact the landlord directly.
Bottom Line
Rental websites can be a great way to find a new place to live or tenants for your property. There are many house rental websites available, so it’s important to choose one that’s right for you. You should consider the website’s user-friendliness, positive customer reviews, and any associated fees before finalizing your choice.
However, it could be difficult to fill your vacant house in this market. There are 45 million rental properties available in the market. If, you are not able to rent your property, sell it as the home prices are rising. Selling with a Flat Fee company like Houzeo makes it a simple and affordable process.
Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?
We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo works and why it is one of the best For Sale By Owner websites in the U.S.
Ā» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best website For Sale By Owner in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to choose best website to find houses for rent?Ā
Selecting the best rental listing website depends on your needs and preferences. You should consider factors like selection, cost, and features to choose best websites to find house rentals. You should also compare multiple sites to find the one that best suits your requirements.
What are the best real estate websites in America?
America's top real estate websites in 2023 are:
1. Houzeo
2. Redfin
3. Opendoor
4. Zillow
5. Trulia
Ā»Read more about Best Real Estate Websites in America and their in-depth reviews.
Which website has the most listings for rentals?
Zillow has the most rental listings and receives the most web traffic.
