When it comes to renting out homes, apartments, or vacation properties, the correct platforms can make all the difference for owners who choose not to work with a traditional property management company. Websites that facilitate direct rental by owners (RBOs) give landlords with effective and efficient means of contacting potential tenants. We take a closer look at a few top RBO sites, comparing and contrasting their features, benefits, and unique selling points in this article.
Key Takeaways:
- The article discusses various rental by owner (RBO) websites, highlighting their unique features and benefits.
- Each platform offers essential tools such as tenant screening, rent collection, and lease management to help landlords efficiently manage their properties.
- The article outlines the cost structures of these platforms, noting that some offer free basic listings while others charge for premium features.
- It emphasizes that different platforms cater to different types of rentals, from apartments and single-family homes to vacation properties.
Zillow Rental Manager
Overview
Zillow Rental Manager is one of the most comprehensive platforms for property owners. Zillow’s extensive network and brand recognition provide a robust foundation for landlords to list their properties.
Key Features
- Wide Reach: Listings are displayed on Zillow, Trulia, and HotPads, reaching millions of prospective renters.
- Easy Listing Process: User-friendly interface that allows for quick and efficient property listing.
- Tenant Screening: Offers background and credit checks.
- Rent Payment Management: Facilitates online rent payments and setting up automatic payments.
- Lease Management: Digital lease signing is available for streamlined contract handling.
Pricing
Zillow Rental Manager offers a free basic listing, but additional features like premium placement and tenant screening come with fees.
Apartments.com
Overview
Apartments.com is another highly recognized platform that caters to both apartment complexes and individual landlords.
Key Features
- High Traffic: Attracts millions of renters each month.
- Detailed Listings: Allows for comprehensive property descriptions, photos, and video tours.
- Tenant Screening: Includes credit, background, and eviction history checks.
- Lease Tools: Provides tools for lease creation and electronic signatures.
- Mobile App: User-friendly app for managing listings on-the-go.
Pricing
Basic listings are free, with premium features such as highlighted listings and additional marketing tools available for a fee.
Craigslist
Overview
Craigslist remains a popular choice for landlords due to its simplicity and wide reach. While it lacks some of the advanced features of newer platforms, its effectiveness should not be underestimated.
Key Features
- Simplicity: Easy-to-use interface with straightforward listing creation.
- Wide Audience: Attracts a diverse range of renters.
- Local Focus: Allows for highly localized advertising.
- Cost-Effective: Minimal fees associated with posting in most areas.
Pricing
Craigslist charges a nominal fee for rental listings in certain major cities, typically around $5 per listing.
Rent.com
Overview
Rent.com focuses on providing a seamless experience for both renters and property owners. It’s particularly strong in apartment rentals but also caters to single-family homes and condos.
Key Features
- Verified Listings: Ensures accuracy and authenticity of listings.
- 3D Tours: Enables virtual tours for a more immersive viewing experience.
- Lead Management: Tools to manage leads and track tenant inquiries.
- Integrated Marketing: Option to market listings across RentPath’s network of sites, including ApartmentGuide.com and Rentals.com.
Pricing
Rent.com offers various pricing tiers, with basic listings typically free and advanced marketing tools available at an additional cost.
Avail
Overview
Avail is designed specifically for independent landlords and offers a suite of tools to manage the entire rental process.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Tools: From listing creation to rent collection and maintenance requests.
- Tenant Screening: Includes credit checks, background checks, and eviction history.
- Customizable Leases: State-specific lease templates with electronic signing.
- Automated Payments: Facilitates automatic rent payments and reminders.
Pricing
Avail offers a free basic plan, with premium features such as unlimited listings and enhanced screening reports available for a monthly subscription.
Facebook Marketplace
Overview
Facebook Marketplace has emerged as a viable option for rental listings due to its extensive user base and community-oriented approach.
Key Features
- Broad Audience: Access to millions of Facebook users.
- Community Interaction: Ability to interact directly with prospective tenants through Messenger.
- No Fees: Free to list properties.
- Ease of Use: Simple listing creation process.
Pricing
Listing rentals on Facebook Marketplace is free.
Cozy (Now Part of Apartments.com)
Overview
Cozy was acquired by Apartments.com but remains a powerful tool for landlords. It focuses on providing a streamlined management experience for both tenants and landlords.
Key Features
- End-to-End Management: From listings to lease signing and rent collection.
- Tenant Screening: Comprehensive screening options.
- Maintenance Tracking: Tools to track and manage maintenance requests.
- Payment Processing: Facilitates online rent payments and recurring billing.
Pricing
Cozy’s basic services are free, with additional features like tenant screening and credit reports available at a cost.
VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner)
Overview
VRBO specializes in vacation rentals, making it ideal for property owners looking to rent out holiday homes and short-term rentals.
Key Features
- Global Reach: Access to a vast international audience.
- Secure Payments: Facilitates secure payment processing.
- Reservation Management: Tools to manage bookings and calendars.
- Traveler Insurance: Offers optional insurance for travelers.
Pricing
VRBO offers two pricing models: a pay-per-booking fee or an annual subscription fee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the main benefits of using rental by owner websites?
Rental by owner websites provide landlords with powerful tools for tenant screening, rent collection, and lease management, often at a lower cost compared to traditional property management services.
2. Are there any free options for listing my rental property?
Yes, several platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace offer free listing options, while others like Zillow Rental Manager and Apartments.com provide free basic listings with optional paid features for enhanced visibility and additional services.
3. How do these platforms help with tenant screening?
Most of these platforms, such as Zillow Rental Manager and Avail, offer comprehensive tenant screening services, including credit checks, background checks, and eviction history reports, to help landlords find reliable tenants.
Conclusion
Which rental-by-owner website is best for you will depend on your individual requirements and the kind of the property you are offering for rent. There is a platform that can match your needs, whether you’re looking for a community-focused platform like Facebook Marketplace or a specialist expertise site like VRBO for holiday rentals. Other options include Zillow and Apartments.com. Landlords may increase productivity, improve tenant quality, and simplify the entire leasing process by making use of these robust tools.
