The main places landlords post rentals

The largest rental listing sites are Zillow, Apartments.com, Rent.com, and Craigslist. Most landlords use at least two of these because renters search across multiple platforms. Zillow and Apartments.com reach the broadest audience; Craigslist still draws local renters who prefer it; Rent.com sits between them in traffic and cost.

Beyond the big four, Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor work well for local rentals because they show your listing to people already in your neighborhood. HotPads (owned by Zillow) and Trulia (also Zillow-owned) pull listings from the same backend, so posting to Zillow often covers both. Regional sites like PadMapper and Zumper exist but have smaller user bases than the national platforms.

Key Takeaways

  • Zillow and Apartments.com reach the most renters nationally, but Craigslist still draws significant local traffic and costs nothing to post.
  • Most landlords post to two to four sites at once because renters do not search everywhere; spreading your listing increases the chance someone finds it.
  • Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor work best for local rentals and let you reach neighbors directly without paying listing fees.
  • Paid listings on major sites typically cost $5 to $50 per month and may include features like featured placement or longer visibility windows.
  • Posting the same listing across multiple sites requires updating all of them when the unit rents or details change, or renters will contact you about a unit no longer available.

Cost and payment structure for each platform

Craigslist charges a flat fee of $5 per listing in most U.S. cities (some cities charge $10). The listing runs for 45 days, then expires. You can renew it for another $5. No featured placement or premium options exist; every listing looks the same.

Zillow charges $9.99 to $49.99 per month depending on the plan. The basic plan ($9.99) gives you a standard listing visible in search results. Higher tiers add features like a "Featured" badge, priority placement, or the ability to run the listing for 90 days instead of 30. Apartments.com uses a similar model, typically $10 to $40 per month. Rent.com pricing varies by market but generally falls in the $15 to $35 range.

Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor are free to post on. Neither charges a listing fee, though both may offer paid promotion options if you want your listing shown to more people. HotPads and Trulia are free because they pull listings from Zillow's database—if you post to Zillow, your listing appears there automatically.

How to decide which sites to use

Start by asking where renters in your area actually search. In urban markets, Zillow and Apartments.com dominate. In smaller towns or rural areas, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace often see more traffic. Nextdoor works best if your rental is in a neighborhood where Nextdoor is active—adoption varies widely by region.

If you are renting a single unit or a small number of units, post to Craigslist (cheap) and one major national site (Zillow or Apartments.com). That combination reaches most renters without requiring you to manage many accounts. If you manage multiple units or a building, the cost of posting to two or three major sites is usually worth it because the volume of inquiries justifies the fee.

Test the market for your specific rental. Post to one or two sites, track where your inquiries come from, and adjust. Some landlords find that Craigslist brings 60% of their leads; others find it brings almost none. Your local market determines what works.

What information to include in every listing

Every listing needs the rent amount, lease term (one year, month-to-month, etc.), move-in date, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and address or cross-streets. Include utilities (which ones are included, which the tenant pays), parking details, and pet policy. List any major appliances (dishwasher, washer/dryer in unit, etc.) and amenities (gym, pool, parking garage).

Add a brief description of the unit and neighborhood. Mention proximity to transit, schools, or shopping if relevant. Be honest about condition and age—photos show this anyway, and misrepresenting the unit wastes everyone's time. Include your contact method (phone, email, or both) and how to schedule a showing.

Post at least five photos: the living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and one exterior or common area shot. Photos taken in daylight with decent lighting rent faster than dark or blurry ones. Most platforms let you upload photos directly; use that feature rather than linking to external images.

Managing listings across multiple sites

The main challenge is keeping listings in sync. When the unit rents, you must delete or mark it as rented on every site where you posted it. Renters will contact you about units that are no longer available, which wastes their time and yours. Set a reminder to update all listings on the same day you accept a lease.

If you change the rent, lease terms, or move-in date, update all platforms. Some sites let you edit listings; others require you to delete and repost. Check each platform's rules before you post so you know what to expect.

Some landlords use rental management software (like Zillow's own landlord tools, or third-party services like AppFolio or Buildium) that syncs listings across multiple sites automatically. These tools cost money but save time if you manage many units. For a single rental, manual updates are usually simpler.

Red flags to watch for when posting

Scammers sometimes copy listings from legitimate landlords and repost them on other sites at a lower price, then collect deposits from multiple people for the same unit. If you post to Craigslist, monitor it for copies of your listing. Report fake postings to Craigslist directly; they remove them quickly.

Some platforms have better fraud protection than others. Zillow and Apartments.com have verification systems and buyer protection policies. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace have less oversight, so renters are more vulnerable to scams—but this also means you should be cautious about who you rent to and verify their information before accepting a deposit.

Never ask for payment before a renter has seen the unit in person. Legitimate renters expect to tour the apartment before committing money. If someone offers to wire a deposit sight unseen, that is a sign of either a scam or someone desperate enough to be a poor tenant.

Timing and how long listings stay visible

Post your listing as soon as the unit is ready to show. Most renters search actively when they are close to needing to move, so posting early does not help much—but posting late means you miss the window when renters are searching for your move-in date.

Craigslist listings expire after 45 days. Zillow and Apartments.com listings typically run for 30 days on the basic plan, though you can pay for longer visibility. Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor listings stay up indefinitely until you delete them, but they may get buried under newer posts.

If your unit does not rent within the first 30 days, consider lowering the rent slightly or adding a move-in incentive (first month free, waived deposit). Repost the listing on Craigslist to bump it to the top of search results. If the unit has been listed for 60+ days, something about the price, location, or condition is likely the problem—photos or description alone usually will not fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I post on all the major sites or just one?

Post to at least two. Most renters do not search everywhere, so using only one site means you miss people who search elsewhere. Craigslist plus Zillow or Apartments.com covers most renters in most markets. If you manage multiple units, three to four sites is worth the cost.

Can I use the same photos and description on every site?

Yes. Write the description once and copy it to every platform. Take photos once and upload them to each site. The only thing that changes is the listing format—some sites have character limits or different photo requirements, so you may need to trim or adjust slightly, but the core information stays the same.

What if I get no inquiries after two weeks?

Check your rent against comparable units in the area. If your rent is higher, lower it. Verify your photos are clear and show the unit well. Make sure your contact information is correct and you are responding to inquiries within a few hours. If the unit is in a less desirable location or condition, that may be the issue—photos and description cannot fix a fundamental problem with the rental itself.

Do I have to use a credit card to post on Zillow or Apartments.com?

Yes. Both platforms require a credit card for payment. Craigslist accepts credit cards, debit cards, or cash (in person at a Craigslist office in some cities). Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor do not require payment at all.

How do I remove a listing after the unit rents?

Every platform has a delete or mark-as-rented button in your account dashboard. Use it when ready after you accept a lease. On Craigslist, click "delete" next to the listing. On Zillow and Apartments.com, go to your account, find the listing, and select "mark as rented" or "delete." On Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor, click the three-dot menu and select delete or mark sold.