16 Best Rental Listing Sites: A Comprehensive Guide for Landlords and Property Managers

If you're a landlord or property manager, you know how challenging it can be to find the right renter for your property. Luckily, rental listing sites are here to help! These websites allow you to post information about your rental properties and reach a wide audience of potential tenants.

What is a Rental Listing Site?

Rental listing sites are online platforms that enable landlords and property managers to showcase their rental properties. These sites are not only used by potential tenants searching for a new place to live but also by investors looking for additional properties to invest in. Some rental listing sites cater specifically to landlords and property managers, while others provide information for both landlords and tenants.

How do Rental Listing Sites Work?

Most rental listing sites follow a similar process. Property owners or managers create an account on the site and provide details about their property, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, monthly rent price, and any special features or amenities. Many sites also allow landlords to include photos of the property, giving potential tenants a better idea of what it looks like. Once the listing is verified, it goes live on the website, and landlords are notified when prospective tenants show interest.

Our Methodology to Choose the Best Rental Listing Sites

To determine the best rental listing sites for landlords and property managers, we consider several key criteria:

1. Ease of Use and Navigation (Rating: 5): We prioritize sites that offer a user-friendly interface, making it simple for landlords and tenants to navigate.

2. Quality and Variety of Listings (Rating: 5): We evaluate the diversity and quality of rental listings available on each site.

3. Cost for Listings and Value for Money (Rating: 4): We assess the cost-effectiveness of each site, ensuring landlords get good value for their listing fees.

4. Tenant Screening and Security Features (Rating: 4): We rate sites that offer robust tenant screening processes and security features highly.

5. Customer Support and Resources (Rating: 3): We consider the availability and quality of customer support and educational resources for users.

6. Integration with Property Management Tools (Rating: 3): We determine if the sites can integrate with property management software effectively.

7. Market Reach and Visibility (Rating: 5): We focus on sites that offer significant market reach and visibility to attract a wide audience.

8. Mobile Accessibility and App Performance (Rating: 3): We prioritize sites with reliable and functional mobile platforms.

9. User Reviews and Feedback (Rating: 2): We take into account user reviews and feedback to understand the real-world effectiveness of each site.

10. Innovative Features and Tools (Rating: 3): We look for sites that provide innovative features like virtual tours or AI-driven property suggestions.

These criteria form the backbone of our methodology, ensuring the rental listing sites we recommend provide visibility, efficiency, and value to landlords and property managers.

16 Best Rental Listing Sites

Now, let's dive into the 16 best rental listing sites for landlords and property managers. Each site offers its advantages and disadvantages to consider:

1. Zillow

Image: Zillow

Zillow is one of the most popular rental listing sites on the internet, attracting a large number of potential applicants. The platform offers advanced tools and features for landlords, such as the Zillow Rental Manager, which facilitates tenant screening and online rent collection.

Pros:

• Established brand with a vast website of over 135 million homes.
• Built-in tools for tenant screening, including background and credit checks.
• Mobile app for easy management of listings and communication with applicants.

Cons:

• No option to categorize rental properties by specific neighborhoods.
• Additional listing after the first one is charged at $9.99 per week.
• Challenges in managing financials like credits, security deposits, and pet fees.

2. Facebook Marketplace

Image: Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a hidden gem for landlords, offering a large pool of potential tenants with approximately 800 million monthly users. It provides an easy platform to list your rental property and has features like integrated messaging and filters to enhance exposure.

Pros:

• Quick and easy listing setup with the ability to add photos, descriptions, and videos.
• Direct messaging with interested renters through Messenger or WhatsApp.
• Features like filters and location tags for more exposure in your area.

Cons:

• Smaller user base compared to other popular rental listing websites.
• Renters on Facebook Marketplace may not be as serious as those on other sites.
• Difficulties in responding to inquiries within the site or app, posing a risk to private data.

3. Rentals.com

Rentals.com, part of the RentPath company, focuses on first-time renters, particularly millennials. It offers comprehensive filtering options and unlimited online applications, making it an attractive choice for landlords looking to target this demographic.

Pros:

• Influence placement based on the entire listing duration, rather than sorting by recent posts.
• Numerous filters to help find the right renter for your property.
• Feature-rich landlord tools, including video tours and online rental applications.

Cons:

• Glitchy updates and potential website issues affecting real-time availability and tenant communication.
• Some landlords report receiving few to no leads from Rentals.com.
• Higher price range compared to other listing sites, potentially causing concerns for some landlords.

4. AVAIL

AVAIL is a property management app designed for DIY landlords with up to 10 rental units. It offers extensive landlord tools, such as tenant screening, rent collection, and educational resources for landlords at an affordable price.

Pros:

• Easy rent collection and tracking of rent credits and expenses.
• Responsive help desk available 24/7.
• Free tenant screening process, which goes beyond traditional credit and eviction history checks.

Cons:

• Smaller inventory of listings compared to other top rental listing websites.
• Limited filters, making it slightly more challenging to find the right property.
• Charges per rental unit, making it potentially more expensive for landlords with over 10 units or short-term rentals.

5. Apartments.com

Apartments.com is a popular rental listing site known for attracting qualified apartment renters. They charge applicants a fee to apply through their mobile app, ensuring that potential renters are serious and committed.

Pros:

• Large inventory with over 1.1 million available units.
• Neighborhood-specific search filters for targeted results.
• Tools to save money on rent and deposits.
• Option to connect with renters and lease properties 100% online.
• User-friendly search function for easy navigation.

Cons:

• App users report cumbersome sorting features and updates.
• Mainly showcases larger apartment complexes, limiting options for single-family homes.
• Limited neighborhood information.
• Higher cost compared to some other sites.

6. PadMapper

PadMapper aims to make apartment hunting a less daunting process for renters and landlords alike. It offers an easy-to-use interface for landlords to post their apartments, rooms, and rental homes quickly.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface for quick property listings.
• Secure and safe platform, actively combating spam and viral marketing ads.
• Free rent collection and tenant screening tools.
• Partnership with Zumper to offer enhanced services.

Cons:

• Limited filtering options, requiring additional search efforts.
• Possibility of showing irrelevant properties that are no longer available.
• Expiration of rental listings and restriction to one active listing at a time without upgrading.

7. Oodle

Oodle is a classified ad listing website similar to a mashup of Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. It allows landlords to list apartments, condos, and home rentals quickly and easily.

Pros:

• Large classified ad listing website with extensive reach.
• Quick and easy listing process.
• Multiple filters available for targeted searches.
• Free listing service, enabling landlords to list multiple properties.

Cons:

• Potential risk of spam emails from scammers.
• Lack of landlord tools for property management and tenant screening.

8. Rentometer

Rentometer is a website and app that enables landlords to assess the rentability and market rate of their properties within seconds. It provides insights into the rental market, helping landlords determine appropriate pricing.

Pros:

• Rental rate averages for short-term and long-term rentals.
• Easy-to-use tool for quick reports on property rentability.
• Monthly and yearly subscription plans available.
• Batch Analysis tool for comprehensive property analysis.

Cons:

• No features for listing rentals directly.
• Limited access to information for renters.
• Potential inaccuracies in rental price estimations.
• No mobile app for Android platforms.

9. Trulia

Trulia is a real estate marketplace and MLS aggregator, known for accurate and up-to-date listings. It offers a wide range of properties, and landlords can list their properties for free without any direct listing process.

Pros:

• Accurate and up-to-date listings.
• Filters and saved searches for personalized results.
• Easy-to-use website with various features.

Cons:

• Numerous advertisements, potentially detracting from property listings.
• No direct listing option, leading to false listings.
• Potential slowness in updates.

10. Hotpads

Hotpads, part of the Zillow Group, is a rental marketplace with a focus on apartments and houses throughout the U.S. It offers an easy-to-use interface with various filters and integration with the Zillow Rental Manager.

Pros:

• Established platform with a large user base.
• Advanced filtering options for targeted searches.
• Seamless integration with Zillow Rental Manager.
• Custom keyword search functionality.

Cons:

• Primarily showcases apartments, potentially limiting options for single-family homes.
• Potential discrepancies between property photos and reality.
• Slow updates and occasional advertisement of unavailable properties.
• Basic website, apps, and search engine compared to other sites.

11. Apartment Guide

Apartment Guide is a popular rental listing site, particularly in big cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. It caters to both single-family homes and apartments, offering an easy-to-use interface with advanced filtering options.

Pros:

• Quick account setup and free base listing.
• Advanced filtering options for refined searches.
• User-friendly interface and navigational features.
• Extensive photo gallery and property descriptions.

Cons:

• Potential discrepancies between property photos and reality.
• Inconsistent customer support.
• Fewer listings for larger properties like single-family homes or condos.

12. ByOwner

ByOwner has been serving landlords for over 20 years and offers the ability to list homes, condos, apartments, townhomes, and villas for rent. It provides online tools like rental applications and offers a 14-day free trial.

Pros:

• 14-day free trial for new users.
• Easy-to-use website and navigation.
• High-quality photo uploads (up to 50 pictures).
• Six months of active listing from the posting date.
• Rental guarantee for landlords who don't rent their property within three months.

Cons:

• Mixed reviews on customer support.
• Limited phone support availability.
• Pricing starts at $39 per month after the free trial.
• Services may not be available in all areas.

13. Homes.com

Homes.com ranks as the sixth-largest web portal for rental property searches, focusing on single-family homes, townhouses, and condos. It offers high traffic and custom real estate advertising powered by machine learning.

Pros:

• Extensive traffic and views on listings.
• Concierge services with custom real estate advertising.
• Focus on single-family properties.
• Improved exposure through a partnership with realtor.com.

Cons:

• Buying leads required for optimal results.
• Mixed reviews on customer support.
• Lack of clear instructions and communication channels on the website.

14. MyNewPlace

MyNewPlace, formerly RentJungle, aims to connect landlords with tenants looking for single-family homes and apartment units. It offers a pay-per-contact model, allowing landlords to pay only when potential tenants contact them through the ad.

Pros:

• Mobile app for wider reach, particularly among mobile users.
• Large audience of people searching for rental homes and apartments.
• Various service levels for more exposure on the website.

Cons:

• Direct contact required for advertising on the site.
• Challenges in contacting customer service.
• Mixed reviews on sorting features and customer support.

15. Doorsteps

Doorsteps is a house and apartment finder powered by realtor.com. It collects listings from various sources, providing accurate and up-to-date information for potential renters.

Pros:

• Custom rental listings for showcasing desired features.
• Accurate and up-to-date property information.
• Syndicates listings to top rental listing sites.

Cons:

• Pricing based on the number of units listed.
• Limited to apartments and houses for rent.
• Competes with larger listing sites in terms of traffic.

16. Rentdigs

Rentdigs positions itself as the #1 place on the internet to advertise home and apartment rentals. It offers free listings, auto-posts to other sites, and personalized links for prospective tenants.

Pros:

• Free listings for single and multiple properties.
• Automatic posting to partner websites.
• Site statistics for tracking viewer engagement.
• Personalized links for targeted tenant outreach.
• Strong indexing with search engines for increased visibility.

Cons:

• Less advanced features compared to some other sites.
• Lower traffic compared to larger sites.

Free Rental Listing Sites

While some rental listing sites offer free listings, it's important to consider the features and traffic each site provides. Free sites may come with more ads or have less traffic compared to paid sites. Oodle and Trulia are examples of sites that offer free rental listings but have their limitations.

Why Use Rental Listing Sites?

Rental listing sites offer several benefits to landlords and property managers, including:

1. Reach a Larger Audience: These sites attract a significant number of potential tenants, ensuring your rental listing reaches a wide audience.

2. Tenant Screening: Rental listing sites provide tools for tenant screening, enabling landlords to vet potential renters and make informed decisions.

3. Time and Cost Savings: By utilizing rental listing sites, landlords can save time and money by advertising their properties effectively without additional expenses.

4. Property Management Tools: Some rental listing sites offer tools for managing properties, such as Zillow Rental Manager, which streamlines the rental process.

5. Fraud Prevention: Listing sites verify information provided by landlords, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring a safer rental process.

6. Advanced Search Options: Rental listing sites often offer advanced search options, allowing potential tenants to filter their results based on specific criteria.

7. Organizational Tools: Many rental listing sites provide features to help landlords stay organized, track their properties, and avoid mistakes.

8. Direct Communication: Listing sites facilitate direct communication between landlords and potential tenants, streamlining the rental process for both parties.

9. Visibility and Exposure: Rental listing sites offer significant market reach and visibility, ensuring that rental properties attract a wide audience of potential tenants.

10. Correct Target Audience: Advertising your property on rental listing sites ensures that it reaches the right audience who are actively searching for rentals.

11. Efficient Rental Process: Advanced features like online applications, rent collection, and lease creation streamline the rental process for both landlords and tenants.

12. Access to Real-Time Market Data: Rental listing sites like Rentometer provide valuable insights into rental prices, helping landlords set competitive rental rates.

Given these advantages, utilizing rental listing sites can greatly enhance the rental process for landlords and property managers.

How to Choose the Best Rental Listing Site

When selecting a rental listing site, consider the following factors:

• Size of the Site: Look for sites with a large user base to maximize exposure for your rental listing.
• Type of Site: Determine if the site caters specifically to rentals or includes both rentals and sales.
• Features: Consider the features offered by the site, such as advanced search options and property management tools.
• Ease of Use: Choose a site with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to create and manage your rental listings.
• Pricing: Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the site based on its pricing structure and the value it provides.

By considering these factors, you can choose the best rental listing site that aligns with your specific needs as a landlord or property manager.

Conclusion

Finding the right tenant for your rental property can be a complex task, but rental listing sites simplify the process by connecting landlords and property managers with potential renters. With our comprehensive guide to the 16 best rental listing sites, you now have a range of options at your fingertips. Consider your specific needs, weigh the pros and cons of each site, and select the one that best suits your requirements. Happy renting!