Redfin operates the country's most popular real estate brokerage site. The technology-powered real estate company helps people find a place to live with brokerage, rentals, lending, title insurance, and renovations services. In October, the company expanded its rental listing tool nationwide. Homeowners, investors, property managers, and agents anywhere in the U.S. can now list rental properties free on Redfin, connect with interested renters searching on Redfin’s family of sites, and manage the application and renter screening process all in one place.

“Whether you’re renting your home out for the first time or you’re a seasoned investor or property manager, Redfin can help connect you with millions of people searching for their next place to call home across our network of sites,” according to George Perantatos, Senior Director of Product at Redfin. “Our rental listing tool is free and easy to use, and we now make it simple to collect applications and screen potential renters. As we make this feature available across the country, we’re giving renters more great options for their next house, townhouse or apartment.”

Redfin initially launched its free rental tool on Redfin’s site and mobile apps in 13 markets in May 2024. Now, in addition to being listed on Redfin.com, rental properties will also automatically be advertised to renters searching on Rent.com and Apartment Guide, helping property managers reach more renters. Property managers can also use Redfin’s tools to invite potential renters to apply and screen applicants with third-party verified credit, eviction and criminal reports. Through a partnership with TurboTenant, property managers get free access to an application and tenant screening platform trusted by over half a million property managers across the country. By integrating this process directly into the rental dashboard, Redfin provides a seamless experience and helps fill vacancies faster.

To sign up for renter applications and screening, property managers can simply check a box when creating their rental listing and select which background questions they’d like to ask. Once the listing goes live, any interested renter can fill out a detailed and easy-to-use application. Property managers can also generate a link to share with interested renters and invite them to apply. In November, a Redfin survey indicated that more than one in five renters are using their entire paychecks for rent. Working a second job is also a fairly common way for renters to pay housing costs, with 20% of renters citing that method. Nearly the same share (19%) say they have worked a job they hated to afford rent. One in seven (14%) renters have used a cash gift from family to pay rent. Renters also report dipping into money that was earmarked for retirement to pay their housing costs. More than one in 10 (13%) pulled money out of retirement funds early, and 12% contributed less to retirement savings, according to a Redfin-commissioned survey conducted by Ipsos in September 2024, which was fielded to 1,802 U.S. residents aged 18-65

. “Even though it’s difficult for many Americans to make their rent payments, renting is a popular choice because affordability has become even more strained for people looking to buy a home,” Redfin officials note. “A separate Redfin analysis found that the number of renter households is growing three times faster than homeowner households, largely because the cost of buying has increased faster than the cost of renting.”

Redfin became a Hacienda tenant in June of this year. Since launching in 2006, Redfin has saved customers more than $1.6 billion in commissions, according to officials. The company serves more than 100 markets across the U.S. and Canada and employs over 4,000 people. Redfin’s subsidiaries and affiliated brands include Bay Equity Home Loans, Rent, Apartment Guide, Title Forward, and WalkScore. For more information on Redfin, please visit https://www.redfin.com.

To create a Redfin rental listing, please visit www.redfin.com/rentals/list-my-home-for-rent.

To view the Redfin rental survey report, please visit www.redfin.com/news/survey-how-renters-afford-housing.