How to Post an Apartment for Rent on Zillow

Getting Started

Go to the Zillow.com home page and sign up for a free account. Select the "Sign in or Join" tab on the top right corner of the home page. Create a Zillow account by providing a username or email address. Choose a password with at least eight characters, and a combination of letters and numbers. Zillow automatically logs you into your account after you click the "Submit" button. You can also create a Zillow account and log into it through your Google or Facebook accounts.

Select the "List your rental" tab after logging into your account. The tab is on the top right corner of your home page. Alternatively, you can hover over the "Rent" tab on the top left side of the page and select "List a rental (its free)" from the drop-down menu. You will then be taken to the Zillow Rental Manager page.

Select "Get Started" on the Rental Manager page. Alternatively, scroll down and select "Create free listing" under the subheading "List your property.” You will be directed to a page where you can add your property to Zillow by filling in requested details.

Filling in 'Must-Have' Rental Listing Details

Fill out the "Details and Description" section. Your rental listing should include details, such as asking rent price, rent or lease duration, security deposit and lease terms. Lease terms are the elements of the lease or rental agreement that form the basis of the tenancy. The terms of the lease or rental agreement you should include in your listing details include: Restrictions on tenants' activities to prevent disruptive behavior or illegal activities. Responsibility for maintenance and repair. Utilities that the tenant must pay outside of rent.

Fill in information about square footage and floor plan of the property. These help you to convey information about the layout of the rental property that photos cannot. Your listing should include information about square footage and floor plan because most prospective renters seek such information. They also seek information about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Remember that better informed prospective renters are more likely to contact you to make further inquiries about your property.

Fill in contact information. Contact information includes your name, email and phone number. You will also be asked to verify your phone number through SMS or by call. You need to provide your contact information so that prospective renters can promptly follow-up their interest in your rental property.

List your property’s special features, recent upgrades and renovation. These constitute the "look and feel" information about your property. Renters are more likely to request a showing when offered a property that has attractive special features, and has recently been upgraded or renovated. Special features, upgrades and renovation that renters look for include: Stainless steel appliances, hardwood flooring, and renovations in the kitchen and bathroom, such as a new kitchen backsplash and toilets. New furnishings, remodeled bathrooms, tile flooring, granite countertops, and a fireplace. Security systems and access facilities, such as keycard entry, gated entry, fenced yard, and deadbolt locks.

Fill in information about appliances and amenities. Tenants prioritize amenities, such as air conditioning and in-unit laundry. They also put a premium on appliances, such as dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator. So if your property has these appliances and amenities, make sure that you include them in your listing. Other amenities renters look for include garage parking, covered parking, off-street parking, and guest parking facilities. If parking is provided, list specific rules guiding its use. Also specify if there is a parking fee. Mention outdoor space, such as balcony, deck or patio, private backyard, fenced yard, lawn, pond and private pool.

Ensure that your pet policy is clearly stated. List the key elements of your pet policy so that tenants clearly understand the rules regarding pets. Pet owners generally ignore listings with a no-pet policy. But since they constitute up to 57 percent of prospective renters, you have to weigh the pros and cons of a no-pet policy before insisting on it. You may require vaccine shots, licenses and tags, and keeping dogs on leash. You may charge extra fees or additional deposits for tenants who keep pets. However, check your state laws because some state laws make it illegal to charge additional fees for pets.

Completing and Activating Your Rental Listing

Upload photos and media. You need recently taken high resolution photos to complement your rental listing on Zillow. Renters tend to ignore listings that have no images, or listings with poor quality images. Upload at least 10 high quality photos to your listing to capture the attention of prospective renters. The photos should show the interior as well as the exterior of your property. Ensure that blinds and curtains are drawn and that rooms are free of clutter before you snap photos. Viewers tend to be distracted by clutter. You may also embed videos and take prospective renters on a tour of your property using Zillow 3D Home virtual tours.

Review your listing before you activate it. Ensure that you have accurately filled in all information requested. Also ensure that you have completed all fields requesting useful information that make your listing stand out. Clearly state potential deal-breakers or deal-makers, such as details of description of your property and policy that could affect the renter's decision-making. Also clearly state the date your property will be available for rent or lease.

Activate your listing. Simply click the "Activate" button at the bottom of the page to instruct Zillow to create and distribute your rental listing online. Your rental listing will appear on Zillow within 24 hours. Your listing will also be syndicated to multiple leading real estate classified ads websites, such as Yahoo, Craigslist, HotPads and Trulia.