Saturday, May 31, 2025
How to List Your Rental on Zillow (Step-by-Step Guide)
Learn how to list your rental on Zillow step by step. Discover how to create a strong listing, attract tenants, and avoid common mistakes landlords make.
How to List Your Rental on Zillow
Step-by-Step Guide for Landlords
Trying to rent your house and wondering if Zillow is the right place to list it? In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to list your rental on Zillow the right way so you can attract quality tenants and avoid common mistakes.
Leslie Duvernay
Why Zillow Is One of the Best Places to List a Rental
If you're trying to rent out your house, Zillow is usually the first platform landlords think about and for good reason.
Zillow receives over 200 million monthly visitors, making it the largest rental search platform in the U.S. If your property is listed properly, it can generate strong demand quickly.
Here’s why many landlords start with Zillow:
- Zillow has the largest renter audience online
- The platform is easy to use for first-time landlords
- Leads are often higher quality than Craigslist or Facebook
In fact, one of our recent listings generated 45 leads within 48 hours in a very competitive rental market.
When Zillow Makes Sense for Renting Your Property
Zillow works best for certain types of rentals.
You’ll usually see the best results when listing:
- Long-term rentals (12-month leases)
- Single-family homes or condos
- Furnished rentals in busy markets
When your listing is done correctly, Zillow can help you fill vacancies quickly.
But like any platform, how you create the listing matters.
Step 1: Create Your Zillow Rental Manager Account
To list your property, start by going to:
zillow.com/rentalmanager
From there:
- Click Get Started
- Create your landlord profile
- Enter your property address
- Select the property type
- Add a unit number if applicable
Step 2: Enter Your Property Details
Once inside Zillow Rental Manager, you’ll add the details of your property.
Make sure the following information is complete:
- Property address
- Bedrooms and bathrooms
- Square footage
- Monthly rent
- Security deposit
- Lease length
Tip: Do not hide the property address. Most renters will drive by the property before scheduling a showing.
Step 3: Write a Detailed Listing Description
A strong listing description helps attract better tenants and reduces unnecessary questions.
Your listing should include:
- Property highlights and upgrades
- Amenities and parking details
- Pet policy
- Lease terms and deposit requirements
- Neighborhood highlights
Write your description like you're speaking directly to your ideal tenant, while staying compliant with Fair Housing laws.
Step 4: Upload High-Quality Photos
Photos are one of the biggest factors in how well your listing performs.
Avoid common mistakes like:
- Cluttered rooms
- Poor lighting
- Personal items in photos
- Maintenance supplies visible in pictures
- Incorrect image sizing
- Cell phone pictures
Instead, aim for:
- Bright, clean spaces
- Wide-angle room shots
- Exterior photos
- Amenity photos
- Professionally done by a real estate photographer
Professional photos are inexpensive and can be reused every time the property becomes vacant.
Step 5: Add Amenities and Lease Terms
Zillow allows you to include additional details that renters care about.
Make sure to include:
- Pet policy
- Renters insurance requirements
- Lease length
- Additional fees
- Showing availability
Use simple bullet points so renters can quickly understand the terms.
The more clear your listing is upfront, the better quality leads you'll attract.
Step 6: Consider Zillow Premium Placement
Zillow also offers Premium placement, which typically costs around $29.99 for 90 days. (2026 update it's now $39.99)
Premium placement helps:
- Push your listing higher in search results
- Increase visibility in competitive markets
- Generate more inquiries
If you’re in a saturated rental market, this upgrade is usually worth it.
Bonus Tools to Help Your Listing Stand Out
You can also improve your listing by using additional Zillow tools.
Zillow 3D Tours
Using the Zillow 3D Home app allows renters to virtually walk through the property.
Listings with virtual tours often receive more engagement.
CubiCasa Floor Plans
The CubiCasa app can generate free floor plans for your property.
Floor plans help renters understand the layout and improve listing performance.
The Downsides of Listing on Zillow
Zillow is a powerful platform, but there are a few limitations.
Zillow Screening Tools Are Basic
Zillow offers tenant screening, but the tools are fairly limited compared to dedicated landlord software.
Many landlords prefer using:
- TurboTenant
- DoorLoop
- other screening systems like Stessa or Zumper
Listings Can Get Buried
Because Zillow is so popular, competition can be high.
To stay competitive:
- Use premium placement
- Upload professional photos
- add a 3D tour
- write a strong description
Listings that use Zillow’s tools tend to rank higher.
Quick Recap
If you want to list your rental on Zillow the right way, follow these steps:
- Create your Zillow Rental Manager account
- Enter accurate property details
- Write a clear listing description
- Upload high-quality photos
- Add amenities and lease terms
- Consider Zillow Premium placement
When done correctly, Zillow can generate strong tenant demand and help fill vacancies faster.
Watch the Full Video Walkthrough
Wrap up with deposits, utilities, and a smooth move-in process.
If you'd rather see the full process step by step, watch the video here where I walk through exactly how to list your rental inside Zillow.
Free Landlord Training
If you want a full system for leasing your rental the right way, grab my free landlord training.
Inside the training you'll learn:
- How to price your rental
- How to attract better tenants
- How to reduce vacancy
- How to lease your property without a property manager
Register for the free landlord training below
And as always, happy landlording!
PS - Want to See the Full Process in Action?
Watch the full video on my YouTube channel where I walk through these steps in detail and share bonus tips to make leasing even easier.
PPS - Free One-Hour Landlord Training: Unlock the 3 Secrets to Leasing Your Rental Like a Pro
Feeling overwhelmed by the leasing process? Most landlords struggle NOT because they lack 'good' properties BUT because they LACK a clear, REPEATABLE system for leasing.
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