To be a landlord, you not only need a rental but also tenants. The faster you find tenants, the better, since the longer your rental home is vacant, the more you lose. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get the word out about your rental property and find tenants fast. Here are five ways to market your rental so you can find good tenants sooner:
- Advertise your rental property online
- Include high-quality media and 3D tours
- Price competitively and consider offering rent concessions
- Respond quickly to potential tenants
- Give engaging and informative tours
Method 1: Advertise Your Rental Property Online
The internet is the main way that renters search. A survey conducted by Apartments.com in November and December 2025 reported that 85 percent of renters use online rental listing sites to search. Get your property in front of tenants by listing where they search.
List your property on Apartments.com to get exposure to millions of monthly visitors across the country. The more people you reach, the more leads you can get. It’s not just reaching renters but capturing their attention as well. Optimize your listing to make renters notice it by writing an interesting property title and a detailed description.
Method 2: Include High-Quality Media and 3D Tours
Tenants want to see the exact layout, condition, features, and finishes of a rental through high-quality photos and videos. A survey by Apartments.com found that 77 percent of renters wanted to see photos of the exact rental. Many renters need, not just want, photos since more than half of respondents said that it would be a deal-breaker if the listing didn’t show photos of the exact property.
Go a step further and add 3D tours to allow renters to “walk through” the rental at any time and anywhere. They can zoom in on any detail they want, see the flow of the rental, and explore it at their own pace. As more than one third of renters want to see 3D tours, offering this feature gives you a competitive edge and expands your audience.
Method 3: Price Competitively and Consider Offering Rent Concessions
The main factor that renters consider during their apartment search is price; it consistently ranks number one among renters’ considerations in surveys by Apartments.com. You need to charge the right amount of rent to attract good tenants.
Another pricing tool you can use is rent concessions, which can act as an additional incentive for renters to choose your property. From the survey, 90 percent of renters said they would be swayed by rent concessions. The type of rent concession also matters as 36 percent of renters reported they would be more likely to sign a lease for first month of free rent, compared to only 24 percent who chose a waived security deposit.
Method 4: Respond Quickly to Potential Tenants
Renters move quickly during apartment searches and often move on just as fast if you don’t respond within 48 hours. According to a survey by Apartments.com, 83 percent of renters expect a response by the end of the next day or sooner.
Method 5: Give Engaging and Informative Tours
While some renters are willing to lease sight unseen, many prefer to take an in-person tour or attend an open house before committing. They want to see the space and get a feel for it in person.
Be professional but friendly as you give the tour. Mention the highlights of your property and encourage them to ask questions. Ask your own questions to learn more about the tenants, so you can tailor your marketing pitch and assess if they’d be a good fit. Let them explore the property at their own pace, but be available in case they need anything or have any questions.
Tips for Finding Tenants Fast
Now that you know how to find tenants, here are some tips and tricks to make the process go even faster:
- Write a detailed property description. Include basic information, like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, but make the description pop by highlighting the lifestyle.
- Be upfront about pricing and requirements. Clearly list rent, fees, minimum qualifications, and your screening steps so renters determine if they qualify before applying.
- Emphasize details that appeal to your target market. Call out your location, features, and amenities.
- Share your listing on social media. This helps you reach an even wider audience and engage with potential tenants. In the survey by Apartments.com, a quarter of respondents said they used social media in their search.
Next Steps After You Find a Potential Tenant
Finding a tenant is just one part of the leasing process. The next step is to make it official:
Screen all applicants
Tenant screening is a thorough check and verification of an applicant’s identity, income, rental history, and background so you can choose someone who will be responsible.
Collect funds
Make sure that your new tenants have paid all the required fees. This can include a security deposit, application fee, pet deposits, and even the first month’s rent.
Sign a lease
Signing a lease is the official tenancy agreement that binds all parties to its terms and conditions. Send the lease to the tenant to review and sign before adding your signature to make it official.
Prepare property for move-in
Get your rental ready for your new tenants to move in. Finish up any remaining maintenance tasks and cleaning. Once your tenant gets their keys but before they start moving in, be sure to do a walkthrough to document the condition of the property.
Take the Next Step with Apartments.com
Apartments.com is not just great for filling vacancies, but also handling the rest of your landlord responsibilities. Whether you’re looking to screen tenants, track expenses, or manage maintenance, it can all be taken care of on Rental Manager. Simplify your property management workflow today with Apartments.com.
This article was originally published on October 13, 2020 by Jamia Kenan.
FAQs
What’s the best way to find a good renter?
There isn’t one single “best” way to finding a good renter. Usually, finding a good renter comes from combining a few proven methods that help you attract more qualified applicants and move them through the process efficiently.
Advertise online where most renters search, and boost your listing with high-quality photos, videos, and a 3D tour so renters can clearly understand the space. Price your rental competitively and consider offering a concession like a free first month to stand out. Then respond quickly to inquiries and give a professional, friendly tour to attract renters and help you gauge whether they are a good fit.
What are red flags for landlords?
Red flags for landlords are warning signs that a tenant may be unreliable, risky, or trying to hide something, especially when you review a rental application, credit report, and background check.
Common red flags include a history that raises safety concerns, a low credit score, history of evictions, or signs the applicant isn’t being truthful. Other major red flags are frequent moving without a clear explanation, repeatedly trying to dismiss or discredit the screening results, offering to pay upfront before you’ve completed screening, and rushing to move in unusually fast.
