Today’s apartment searching standards are more advanced than ever before --- and that’s all thanks to digital leasing. From immersive 3D apartment tours to one-click online applications, renters have more resources than ever to streamline their apartment hunt and find the perfect home.
But which digital tools do renters love most? How are these technologies transforming the market? And what should renters expect on their digital leasing journey? In this guide, we’ll answer these questions and more as we explore all the different types of apartment leasing technology.
Key Takeaways:
- Digital leasing is the new standard, especially for Gen Z renters: According to an Apartments.com survey, 55% of Gen Z renters schedule tours online, and 41% prefer messaging with leasing agents over chat. This generation expects the rental experience to be as seamless as ordering takeout — quick, flexible, and fully digital.
- Virtual and self-guided tours offer renters freedom and confidence: 55% of renters said they’d lease without an in-person tour, thanks to tools like Matterport 3D walkthroughs. Self-guided tours powered by smart locks and secure digital access give renters the flexibility to tour on their own schedule, boosting convenience and transparency.
- Online applications and e-leasing eliminate paperwork headaches: One-click applications and real-time messaging streamline the rental process from start to finish. Renters can apply, upload documents, and sign leases digitally — no printing, scanning, or office visits required.
Why Leasing Is Going Digital
You can do almost anything online these days, from grocery shopping to virtual doctor’s visits. So, it’s no surprise that the apartment leasing process has also shifted to digital platforms. What started as a convenience has now become the standard, driven by changes in how we live, work, and search for homes. These changes can be attributed to the following factors:
Shifting renter expectations
Today’s renters, especially Gen Z, are digital natives who expect a seamless, tech-enabled leasing experience. From virtual tours to online applications, they want tools that offer speed, convenience, and control.
A recent Apartments.com survey revealed just how strongly Gen Z embraces this shift: most prefer to submit rental applications online, 55% book apartment tours digitally, and 41% communicate with leasing agents via chat or instant messaging. For them, renting an apartment should feel as effortless as ordering takeout — and digital leasing tools are rising to that occasion.
Rise of remote work and relocation
The rise of remote work has reshaped the rental industry in many ways --- particularly when it comes to digital leasing. With the freedom to work from anywhere, Americans have adapted a much more nomadic lifestyle, with many choosing to relocate for a change of scenery, lower cost of living, or more convenience.
When it comes to apartment searches, these nomadic trends have driven the demand for tools like 3D tours and virtual leasing options. These features allow renters to confidently select a home without ever stepping foot inside, which is a major advantage for those making drastic moves where physical touring isn’t an option.
Virtual Tours: See Your Next Apartment from Anywhere
Virtual tours play a huge role in digital leasing, particularly for renters who may not be able to visit properties in person. In fact, 55% of renters in a recent survey said they’d likely sign a lease without touring in person. Much of this decision-making and trust in online listings comes from virtual tours.
What are Matterport 3D tours?
If you’re apartment hunting on Apartments.com, you’ll find plenty of virtual tours featuring Matterport 3D technology. Matterport 3D tours are interactive, high-resolution walkthroughs that let renters virtually "step inside" a unit and explore it at their own pace. Unlike traditional photo galleries, Matterport scans create a realistic, 360-degree view of the space, with features to zoom in, rotate angles, and measure room dimensions. This gives renters a clearer sense of scale and layout, helping them imagine how their furniture might fit and how light flows through each room.
These tours are especially helpful for those unable to tour in person — whether due to location, scheduling conflicts, or other inflexible circumstances. For property managers, Matterport also reduces no-shows and weeds out less serious inquiries, saving time for everyone involved.
Comparing static images vs. 3D experiences
While photos are a staple of any apartment listing, 3D tours elevate the experience by offering a complete, immersive view of the space. Unlike static images, which can sometimes misrepresent room size or layout , 3D tours allow renters to see how rooms connect, how spacious they feel, and how a unit flows overall. This added layer of transparency is especially valuable for those unable to visit in person.
As one Apartments.com survey participant noted:
“You can save more time by doing virtual walkthroughs as you can get a better sense of what the place is really like, unlike with a static photo, which can make rooms appear much bigger than they actually are.”
This shows how 3D tours are redefining industry standards. For today’s renters, virtual tours are no longer a bonus — they’re an essential part of the apartment-hunting process.
Self-Guided Tours: Freedom to Explore on Your Schedule
Self-guided tours are another outcome of the digital leasing wave. Though these do involve in-person property visits, they are powered and scheduled through online platforms and leasing technologies. This convenience, along with the renter’s ability to explore the listing unattended, eliminates the need for face-to-face coordination and provides a more flexible viewing process.
How digital access makes self-guided tours possible
Self-guided tours wouldn’t be possible without smart access technology. Rather than grabbing a key from a leasing agent, renters can now enter the premises all on their own thanks to smart locks, secure PINs, or mobile app-based entry systems. This digital access ensures convenience across the board. For renters, it means total flexibility to tour on their schedule. For leasing agents and property managers, it reduces the need for in-person coordination and allows teams to focus on qualified leads. It’s a win-win that reflects how digital tools are reshaping every step of the rental journey.
Why renters love touring on their own time
One of the biggest draws of self-guided tours is flexibility. Renters no longer have to coordinate with leasing office hours or wait for an agent to show them around. Instead, they can schedule a tour early in the morning, during a lunch break, or even after work — whatever fits their schedule.
Beyond convenience, self-guided tours empower renters to explore at their own pace. Without a leasing agent present, they can linger in rooms, take measurements, and really visualize living in the space, all without feeling rushed or pressured to make a decision.
As one survey participant put it:
“[Before digital leasing] you had to find the time and arrange to meet someone in person — quite often just to find out the place is nothing like what you were expecting.”
That frustration is exactly what self-guided tours solve. By combining transparency with autonomy, they help renters feel more confident, more comfortable, and more in control of their rental decisions.
Virtual Leasing: No More Paperwork Hassles
Longtime renters might remember a time when printing, scanning, and hand-delivering paperwork were all part of the leasing process. With digital leasing tools, all of these hassles are a thing of the past, and renters can complete the entire leasing process, from submitting an application to signing a lease, all online.
How digital leasing streamlines the process
Digital leasing replaces the traditional back-and-forth of paperwork with a seamless, online workflow. Renters can apply for a unit, upload verification documents, and sign their lease electronically — all from a laptop or mobile device. There’s no need to print anything, schedule in-person meetings, or wait for physical forms to be processed.
Many leasing platforms also include tools like automatic application screening, identity verification, and digital lease review. These features not only reduce delays but help ensure a faster, more accurate leasing process for both renters and property managers.
The benefits of going paperless
Going paperless isn’t just about convenience. It’s also about staying organized and compliant. With everything stored and handled digitally, renters can easily access the release terms, payment receipts, and communication history in one place. This eliminates any chance of someone losing a critical document and provides leverage should disputes arise in the leasing process.
For many renters, this shift to paperless leasing couldn’t come soon enough. When asked about their dislikes of traditional leasing methods, one survey participant said:
“Too much paperwork, things get lost because leasing agents are handling too much paper at the same time — it was hard to track things.”
Digital leasing platforms solve this by creating a clear, centralized system that minimizes miscommunication and keeps the process organized for everyone involved. For renters juggling work, school, or a move, this added clarity and structure makes a huge difference.
One-Click Applications are Game-Changing
The rental application process has also seen a digital shift in recent years. What was once a tedious and paper-heavy process has now become much more streamlined through the implementation of online applications. Now, renters can glide through the application process in just a few clicks.
Fewer forms and faster applications
One of the biggest frustrations in apartment hunting is the repetitive nature of the application process, particularly when applying for multiple listings. One-click applications mitigate this stress, allowing you to securely save your information (employment details, rental history, income, etc.) and auto-fill it into applications as needed. This not only saves time but also reduces the chance of human error in filling out multiple forms.
Better communication from start to finish
Another way the rental application has improved? Communication. Instead of waiting days for an update or wondering if your application was received, digital leasing allows for real-time updates and status tracking. Typically, you’ll know when your application is submitted, when it’s being reviewed, and what the next steps are, all without having to call or visit a leasing office.
At Apartments.com, we’ve made staying connected even easier with our built-in messaging platform. Whether you’re asking a question, submitting an application, or just introducing yourself, you can message property managers directly — no email chains, no phone tag. It’s a faster, more organized way to manage your search and keep everything in one place.
Ready to Try Virtual Leasing? Start with Apartments.com
Ready to digitalize your apartment search? Start right here on Apartments.com! Whether you're moving across town or across the country, our digital leasing tools can make your apartment search faster, easier, and more renter-friendly. From immersive 3D tours and flexible self-guided visits to one-click applications and real-time messaging, Apartments.com lets you search, tour, apply, and sign -- all from wherever you are, on your schedule.
Methodology
The insights and statistics shared throughout this article are based on a recent survey conducted by Apartments.com in 2025. The survey polled 20+ renters, asking about their preferences, frustrations, and experiences with digital leasing tools such as virtual tours, online applications, self-guided tours, and digital communication.
Key qualitative feedback — including renter quotes — was sourced from open-ended survey questions that explored what renters find most helpful (or frustrating) about traditional versus digital leasing. The data highlights a growing expectation for leasing processes to be fully digital, mobile-friendly, and designed with renter convenience in mind.
FAQs
What is digital leasing?
Digital leasing refers to the process of renting a property online, without traditional in-person interactions. It typically includes virtual tours, online applications, digital document signing, and secure payment processes.
Are Matterport 3D tours accurate?
Yes, Matterport 3D tours are highly accurate and provide a detailed, immersive view of a property. They allow potential renters to explore every angle and corner of a space as if they were there in person.
Can I apply for an apartment without meeting the landlord in person?
Yes, many landlords and property management companies now offer online application processes. You can submit documents, sign leases, and even pay deposits digitally, making it easier to secure a rental remotely.
Are self-guided tours safe?
Self-guided tours are generally safe, as most properties use secure access methods like keypads or smart locks. Landlords often monitor the process and ensure the safety of both the renters and the property.
