Apartments.com
By CoStar Group, Inc
Sign up for an Apartments.com account or log in if you’re an existing user. Two-factor authentication may be required for secure access.
Use the “Add a Property” feature to enter your rental address and select the property type (single or multiple units). This step is completed online and typically takes a few minutes.
Enter detailed listing information, including rent rate, photos, amenities, and utilities. You can save your progress and publish the listing once all details are finalized. Edits can be made anytime after publishing.
Set up residents by adding their contact details and lease term dates. You can upload lease agreements and other documents for digital storage and sharing. Online lease creation and sharing are supported.
Activate online rental applications to streamline tenant screening. Applicants submit their information digitally, and you can review, approve, or reject applications directly within the platform.
Enable online rent collection by setting up payment options. Tenants can pay via ACH or card, with payments typically taking 2–5 business days to process.
Access Rental Tools to manage screening, leases, payments, and maintenance requests—all from your account dashboard. These tools are available as soon as your property is added and listing is published.
Apartments.com provides a range of customization options designed to meet the diverse needs of property managers, landlords, and real estate professionals. While the platform is built for broad usability, it offers several features and settings that allow users to tailor listings, management processes, and property marketing to specific business requirements.
Customizable Listings: Property managers can edit and update detailed information for each listing, including availability, bed/bath counts, square footage, rent ranges, and unique property descriptions. Amenities can be selected from a standard list or entered as custom amenities, which are included in keyword searches and displayed on listings. This ensures that unique property features are highlighted and searchable by renters.
Unit-Level Details: Specific details about individual units, such as amenities, fees, and policies, can be customized. Users can manage photos, floor plans, and media for each listing, and update local information like schools, transportation, and points of interest to appeal to targeted renter demographics.
Custom Amenities and Descriptions: If a desired amenity is not available in the standard list, users can add custom amenities with descriptive wording (up to 40 characters per line), allowing for more personalized marketing and differentiation from competitors.
Customizable Lease Templates: Apartments.com provides lease agreement templates that can be customized to comply with state-specific regulations and unique property requirements. Users can adapt clauses, add custom rules, and ensure leases meet both legal and business needs. Once prepared, leases can be signed online, streamlining the leasing process.
Application Limitations: While leases are customizable, the rental application itself cannot currently be customized with additional questions or fields beyond the platform’s standard template.
Flexible Marketing Options: Users can choose between basic and premium listing plans, allowing for different levels of exposure and service based on business goals. Listings are syndicated across a network of partner sites, maximizing reach and lead generation.
Custom Contact Routing: Property managers can configure how and where leads are routed, ensuring inquiries reach the right team members or departments. The contact form fields can be reviewed and updated by contacting support, allowing for tailored lead management workflows.
Advanced Search Filters: The platform offers robust search and filter tools, enabling renters to find properties based on highly specific criteria such as amenities, pet policies, rental type, and square footage. This ensures that listings are matched with the right audience and can be optimized for targeted marketing.
Regional and Amenity Personalization: Apartments.com personalizes the homepage and search experience based on user location and preferences, rotating featured amenities and search options to align with regional demand and business focus.
Customizable Reporting: Users can generate rent comparable reports and access detailed analytics to inform pricing and marketing strategies. These tools help property managers set competitive rates and make data-driven decisions.
Apartments.com provides a comprehensive onboarding experience for both renters and property managers. New users have access to the Learning Center (Apartmentology), which offers a wide array of educational resources, including crash courses, webinars, and guides tailored to help users navigate the platform, optimize listings, and attract renters more effectively. These resources cover topics such as creating compelling listings, understanding renter behavior, and leveraging new platform features.
The platform regularly hosts live webinars and recorded sessions that walk users through new features, best practices for listing optimization, and strategies for improving renter engagement. These webinars are designed for both owners and property managers, providing actionable insights and step-by-step guidance on using Apartments.com’s tools to their full potential.
Apartments.com maintains an extensive Help Center, which includes searchable articles, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides. This resource is available 24/7 and addresses a wide range of topics, from setting up listings and managing applications to handling payments and maintenance requests.
New users can reach Apartments.com’s dedicated support team through multiple channels:
Phone Support: Toll-free assistance is available at (844) 293-8899 for general inquiries, (888) 658-7368 for rental-specific questions, and (866) 609-2264 for listing and advertising support.
Email Support: Users can contact [email protected] for help with applications, leases, and general platform issues. For payment-related questions, [email protected] is available.
In-App Assistance: Direct support is also accessible through the platform’s interface, allowing users to submit requests or chat with support representatives.
For property managers and advertisers, Apartments.com offers personalized support for onboarding, listing setup, and account management. This includes guidance on integrating tour scheduling, enabling online applications, and using marketing tools to maximize listing exposure.
Apartments.com regularly updates its platform with new tools and features. Users are notified of these updates through platform announcements, newsletters, and dedicated webinars, ensuring they stay informed and can quickly adopt new functionalities.
Apartments.com employs a set of security measures to protect user data and ensure privacy for both renters and property managers. The platform’s approach combines technical, administrative, and physical safeguards, reflecting industry best practices for online data protection.
Modern Encryption: Apartments.com uses modern encryption protocols to safeguard sensitive information, including payment card data, by Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). Sensitive data is stored on secure servers located in the United States, with access limited to authorized employees only.
Encrypted Transmission: All personal and financial data transmitted between users and Apartments.com is encrypted, reducing the risk of interception or unauthorized access during online transactions.
Two-Factor Authentication: Users can enable two-factor authentication on their Apartments.com accounts, adding an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access.
Role-Based Access: Access to sensitive data is restricted to authorized personnel, and property listers must verify their identity before viewing applications. Even then, only limited information (such as the last four digits of a Social Security Number and birth year) is accessible, and full SSNs are never shared or stored by Apartments.com.
Limited Data Sharing: Personal identifying details provided for rental applications (such as SSN or ITIN) are used solely for identity verification and background screening through trusted third parties like TransUnion. These details are never shared with property listers or third-party vendors and are not stored by Apartments.com.
Administrative Safeguards: The platform maintains administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect against accidental, unlawful, or unauthorized destruction, loss, alteration, access, disclosure, or use of personal data.
Privacy Policy Compliance: Apartments.com adheres to a clear privacy policy that outlines data collection, use, and protection practices, including the right for users to access, correct, or delete their data in compliance with applicable regulations.
Cybersecurity Team: Apartments.com maintains a designated cybersecurity team to investigate and respond to security vulnerabilities or incidents. Users can report suspicious activity or data concerns directly to this team.
Scam Detection: The platform actively monitors listings and user activity to detect and prevent scams. While some fraudulent listings may still occur, Apartments.com takes steps to minimize risks and advises users to remain vigilant.
User Data Control: Users can opt out of third-party data collection for targeted advertising and can manage privacy preferences, including the sale or sharing of personal information, especially for California residents.
Apartments.com is an actively maintained platform that receives ongoing updates to both its website and mobile applications. New features, enhancements, and listing data are updated regularly, with significant product updates and improvements introduced multiple times throughout the year. For example, recent updates have included expanded tour scheduling options, new integrations with property management software, and increased automation for listings. The platform’s research teams also validate rents and availabilities daily to ensure listing accuracy and quality for renters and property managers.
Cloud-Based and Automated Rollouts:
Apartments.com is a cloud-based service, so all updates—whether related to features, listings, or security—are deployed centrally. Users always access the most current version of the platform without needing to manually install updates.
Real-Time Listing and Data Sync:
Listing information, availability, and pricing are updated in real time through integrations with property management software and automated listing feeds. Manual changes to listings are typically reflected on the live website within 1–2 hours, while syndicated updates across partner sites may take up to 48 hours to appear.
User Notifications:
Major feature releases and updates are communicated to users through platform announcements, newsletters, and dedicated update pages. Renters and property managers are kept informed of new tools, enhancements, and best practices via the Apartments.com Learning Center and email notifications.
User Data Control: Apartments.com users retain ownership of the personal information and content they provide on the platform. The company acts as a data processor, using this information solely to deliver services, manage listings or applications, and provide support. Apartments.com does not claim ownership of user-generated content or proprietary information.
Use and Sharing: Personal data is collected to improve user experience, facilitate transactions, and enhance site functionality. Apartments.com may share certain information with trusted third-party service providers (e.g., for background checks or payment processing), but only as necessary and under strict privacy agreements. Sensitive information, such as Social Security Numbers, is never stored or shared with property listers; it is used exclusively for verification and screening through secure, third-party channels.
No Data Monetization: Apartments.com does not sell or monetize user data. Users can opt out of third-party data collection for targeted advertising, and California residents have the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal information in compliance with applicable privacy laws.
Access and Export: Users have the right to access their personal data stored on Apartments.com. Upon request, the platform will provide users with a copy of their personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, supporting the principle of data portability. This allows users to review, export, or transfer their data as needed, in line with privacy regulations such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar state laws.
Apartments.com is designed to accommodate the evolving needs of property managers, landlords, and real estate professionals, offering flexibility for organizations as they scale their rental portfolios up or down. Here’s how the platform supports organizational changes:
Tiered Advertising Plans: Apartments.com provides a range of listing packages—from free standard visibility to premium paid tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and their “Plus” versions). Each tier offers different levels of exposure, syndication across network sites, and marketing features. Organizations can upgrade or downgrade their plan at any time to match the size and needs of their portfolio, with pricing and features adjusted accordingly.
Portfolio Management: Property managers can add or remove properties as their portfolio changes. The platform supports both single-property owners and large-scale multifamily operators, allowing for seamless addition or removal of listings without penalties or long-term commitments.
Flexible Listing Plan: Apartments.com offers a Flexible Listing Plan specifically for portfolios with multiple properties but fewer than a certain number of units. This plan provides a low-cost solution for organizations that want to maintain visibility year-round while scaling their listings up or down as needed.
Single Dashboard for Multiple Properties: Organizations can manage all their listings, leads, and marketing activities from a centralized dashboard, making it easy to scale operations efficiently. This is particularly beneficial for companies managing properties in multiple locations or markets.
Vendor Consolidation: As organizations grow, Apartments.com enables the consolidation of vendor partnerships and software integrations. This streamlines operations, billing, and reporting, supporting efficient scaling without the complexity of managing multiple platforms.
No Vendor Lock-In: There are no long-term contracts or hidden fees for adjusting the number of listings or changing advertising tiers. Organizations retain full control to scale their presence up or down as business needs change, with continued access to historical data and reporting.
Quotation-Based Pricing: For larger portfolios or organizations with unique requirements, Apartments.com offers custom pricing and support. Businesses can negotiate terms based on their current and projected portfolio size, ensuring cost-effectiveness as they scale.
Lease Renewal: For rental leases managed through Apartments.com, renewal is handled directly in the Rental Manager dashboard. Landlords and property managers can select the resident, choose to renew the lease, and configure new lease terms (such as updated rent, duration, and due dates). A renewal document is generated for both parties, and the process is free and legally compliant. Leases can be renewed for a fixed term, switched to month-to-month, or edited with custom end dates.
Automatic Renewal: Many listing and advertising packages (for property managers/landlords) operate on a subscription basis and are set to renew automatically at the end of each billing cycle unless a cancellation notice is provided. This ensures uninterrupted service and listing visibility.
Flexible Plan Adjustments: Users can upgrade or downgrade their advertising package or property management plan at any time, with changes typically taking effect at the end of the current billing period. There are no penalties for adjusting the number of listings or changing the service tier.
Lease Cancellation: Lease cancellation terms are governed by the lease agreement between the landlord and tenant. Landlords are not required to renew a fixed-term lease and, in most states, do not need to provide a reason for non-renewal. However, a formal notice (often 30 or 60 days) is typically required to terminate or not renew a lease, as stipulated in the lease or by local law.
Subscription/Advertising Cancellation: For paid advertising or listing services, cancellation can be initiated by the user before the next renewal date. The specific notice period and any applicable cancellation fees are outlined in the service agreement. Some agreements may require payment of a cancellation fee if the service is canceled before the end of the initial or renewal term.
Access After Cancellation: Upon cancellation, access to subscription-based features or advertising services continues until the end of the paid term. After this period, listings may be removed, and access to management tools is discontinued unless the subscription is renewed.
Refunds: Refunds for canceled subscriptions or advertising services are generally not provided if the contract is terminated due to a breach of terms or after the paid period has commenced. Users are encouraged to review the specific refund policy in their agreement.
Apartments.com is committed to maintaining high standards of data privacy, security, and regulatory compliance to protect both renters and property managers using its platform.
CCPA Compliance: Apartments.com complies with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), granting California residents the right to access, delete, and opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal information. The platform provides mechanisms for users to manage privacy preferences, including opting out of targeted advertising and data sharing.
Consumer Data Rights: Users retain ownership of their personal data. Apartments.com acts as a data processor, only using information for service delivery and not for data monetization. The platform supports user rights to access, correct, export, or delete their data by applicable privacy laws.
Privacy Policy Transparency: The platform maintains a clear and accessible privacy policy that outlines data collection, use, sharing, and protection practices. Users are informed of their rights and the platform’s obligations under relevant privacy regulations.
PCI DSS Compliance: Apartments.com follows Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) to ensure the secure handling, transmission, and storage of payment card information. All payment data is encrypted and stored on secure servers in the United States, with access limited to authorized personnel.
Data Encryption: All personal and financial data transmitted between users and Apartments.com is encrypted using modern encryption protocols, safeguarding information during online transactions and storage.
Access Controls: The platform enforces strict access controls, including two-factor authentication for user accounts and role-based permissions for property managers. Sensitive information, such as Social Security Numbers, is never stored or shared with property listers and is only used for verification through trusted third-party services.
Administrative and Technical Safeguards: Apartments.com employs a combination of administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse of personal data. Regular monitoring and a dedicated cybersecurity team help detect and respond to potential threats.
Fraud Prevention and Monitoring: The platform actively monitors for fraudulent activity, scams, and suspicious listings. Users can report concerns directly to the cybersecurity team, and Apartments.com responds promptly to security incidents.
