How to find rental listings in the US

Finding a rental home in the United States is very different from searching abroad. American landlords use multiple online platforms, expect thorough application documents, and employ different fee structures depending on which state you choose. This guide walks you through where to search, what landlords will ask for, how to avoid scams, and the crucial regional rules you need to know before you send any money.

Where Americans Search for Rentals: The Big Platforms

Most renters in the United States begin their search on one of a few large national websites. These platforms aggregate listings from landlords, property managers, and brokers across the country, making them the obvious starting point.

• Zillow Rental Manager receives roughly 36 million unique monthly visitors and is the first place about 70% of renters look online. You can filter by location, price, amenities, and pet policies. Listings post for free for individual landlords.
• Apartments.com focuses heavily on large apartment buildings and condo communities rather than single-family homes or small private rentals. It is especially strong in major urban areas.
• Craigslist remains one of the most popular classified ad sites in the US, with over 100 million monthly visits. Most rental listings are free to browse, though landlords in major cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago pay a small posting fee.
• Trulia (owned by Zillow) adds neighborhood data including crime maps, schools, and walkability scores. If you post on Zillow, your listing typically appears on Trulia automatically.
• Facebook Marketplace has become increasingly common, especially for private landlords and rental shares. You can message sellers directly and see their other activity.

After you identify listings on these major sites, you will typically contact the landlord or property manager directly to schedule a showing and begin the application process. Many platforms now offer online application tools that let you submit documents without leaving the website.

Broker Fees: A Crucial Regional Difference

In most of the United States, if a landlord hires a real estate broker to help find tenants, the landlord pays that broker's fee. You will not owe anything. However, New York City and a few other markets have different rules, and this can cost you thousands of dollars if you are not aware.

New York City and the FARE Act (as of 2025)

Until June 2025, renters in New York City were routinely charged broker fees of one month's rent or up to 15% of the first year's annual rent, even when the broker was hired by the landlord. In June 2025, New York City passed the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses Act (FARE Act), which changed this rule significantly. Now, whoever hires the broker pays the fee. If the landlord hires a broker, the landlord must cover the cost. You only pay a broker fee if you independently hire a broker to help you search. If you do hire one yourself, fees are typically 7.5% to 15% of the first year's rent but are negotiable. It is illegal for a landlord to disguise a broker fee as an administrative, processing, or technology fee. Violations can result in fines of up to $2,000 per incident.

Outside New York City

In Boston and a few other urban markets, broker fees may still be negotiable, but landlords typically cover them. In the rest of the country, broker involvement in rental transactions is rare. Most rentals are listed and rented directly between landlord and tenant with no broker in the middle. Always ask the landlord or property manager before applying whether any broker fee will apply to you. If they say yes, ask for the exact amount and whether it is negotiable.

How to Spot a Rental Scam Before You Pay

Rental scams are increasingly common in the US and often target people new to the country. The Federal Trade Commission has received nearly 65,000 reports of rental scams since 2020, with losses totaling about $65 million. Scammers use stolen listings, social media ads, and fake videos to collect upfront payments and personal information. Here are the red flags to watch for.

Red Flags: Payment and Contact

• The 'landlord' asks you to pay a deposit or first month's rent before you have seen the property in person. Legitimate landlords will always arrange a viewing first.
• The landlord claims to be abroad, out of town, or unavailable for a tour. While some legitimate landlords do live in other cities or countries, professional ones will arrange for a verified representative (property manager or leasing agent) to meet you. Scammers often use this excuse to avoid ever meeting you.
• They ask you to pay by wire transfer, reloadable card, gift card, or cryptocurrency. These payment methods are irreversible and impossible to trace. Legitimate landlords accept ACH bank transfers, credit cards, debit cards, checks, or payment portals.
• The rent is priced far below comparable units in the area and the landlord pressures you to decide quickly. Scammers create urgency to prevent you from thinking carefully.
• They skip the standard rental application process. A legitimate landlord will require you to fill out a detailed application and will ask permission to run a credit check. If someone accepts your application without these steps, that is a warning sign.

Red Flags: The Listing and Communication

• The listing contains spelling errors, odd capitalization, unusual formatting, or grammatical mistakes. Scammers often copy listings from multiple sources and paste them together carelessly.
• The same address appears on multiple websites with different prices, different contact information, or is listed for sale instead of for rent.
• You cannot track the listing back to a property management company, landlord website, or public record. Search for the address on Google Maps, county property records, or the local assessor's website to verify it exists and is a rental.
• The photos look professional but the listing is vague, copied word-for-word from other sites, or contains watermarks and logos from property management companies that are not actually involved.
• The landlord avoids direct communication or gives you conflicting information. Good communication is a sign of a professional, legitimate rental.

What to Do If You Spot a Scam

If you suspect a rental listing is fraudulent, stop communicating with the person immediately. Do not send any money or personal information. Report the listing to the platform where you found it (Zillow, Craigslist, Facebook, etc.) and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

What Landlords Will Ask For: The Application Process

Once you find a rental you like and want to apply, you will need to prepare a rental application. This is a formal document that landlords use to check your financial health, criminal history, and rental history. Expect to be asked for the following documents.

Photo ID

You must provide a government-issued ID. In the US, a driver's license or passport is standard. If you have a visa or green card, this also works. Some landlords will accept an ID from your home country if it is still valid and you also provide a US visa document as proof of your right to be in the country.

Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a nine-digit identifier issued by the US government to citizens and permanent residents. Most landlords use your SSN to verify your identity and run a background and credit check. If you do not yet have an SSN, you may have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to people who need to pay taxes but are not eligible for an SSN, such as visa holders and undocumented workers. Many landlords will accept an ITIN in place of an SSN. If you feel uncomfortable sharing your SSN upfront, ask the property manager if they can run a check using your ITIN or a different process. Before you have formally agreed to rent, a landlord does not have the right to demand your SSN.

Proof of Income (Usually 3 Times the Monthly Rent)

Most landlords follow a simple rule: your gross monthly income must be at least three times the monthly rent. This means if rent is $1,500 per month, you must show proof of at least $4,500 in gross monthly income. Acceptable proof includes recent pay stubs (the documents your employer gives you showing your salary), recent tax returns (IRS Form 1040 for most workers, Form 1040-NR for nonresident aliens), bank statements, or an offer letter from a new employer showing your starting salary and start date. If you are self-employed or a freelancer, provide tax returns from the past two years and recent bank statements to show stable income. Some landlords will accept scholarship letters or proof of financial support from family, but you may need to provide a guarantor (a family member or friend who agrees to pay rent if you cannot).

Credit Check and Background Check

Landlords will run a credit check and background check with your permission. A credit check shows your credit score and payment history. Most landlords look for a credit score of 650 or higher, though this varies. A background check screens for evictions, criminal history, and sometimes rental history. If you have just moved to the US and have no credit history, explain this to the landlord. You can offer to provide additional proof of financial stability (bank statements showing savings, a guarantor, or a larger security deposit) to compensate. In New York State, credit and background check fees are capped at $20 total. In other states, fees vary but are typically included in the application fee.

References and Rental History

Landlords will ask for contact information from previous landlords, employers, and personal references. They want to know that you have paid rent on time and treated previous homes well. If you are moving to the US for the first time and have no US rental history, provide references from landlords or property managers in your home country. Give them plenty of notice so they can respond promptly.

Security Deposits and Upfront Costs: Know Your State's Rules

Along with the first month's rent, you will pay a security deposit. This is money the landlord holds as protection in case you damage the apartment or fail to pay rent. When you move out, the landlord must return it (minus deductions for damage or unpaid rent). However, the rules for security deposits vary significantly by state, and you must check your specific state's law before signing a lease.

Maximum Security Deposit Amounts

There is no federal rule for security deposits. Each state sets its own limits. Most states cap deposits at one or two months' rent, but some states have no legal limit at all. For example, California limits deposits to two months' rent for unfurnished units (three months for furnished). New York limits deposits to one month's rent. Texas has no statutory limit. Before you move into any state, check your state's specific limit. Charging more than the legal maximum can expose a landlord to penalties, but you should also know the rules so you are not overcharged.

How Deposits Must Be Held

Most states require landlords to hold your deposit in a separate bank account, not in their personal checking account. Some states require that account to be interest-bearing (the bank pays you a small amount of interest each year). New York, for example, requires deposits to be held in an interest-bearing account and tenants receive 5% annual interest or the actual interest earned, whichever is less. Other states like Connecticut require deposits to be placed in escrow (a neutral third party holds the money). Check your state's rules.

When the Deposit Must Be Returned

The deadline for returning your deposit after you move out varies by state, typically ranging from 14 to 60 days. Arizona requires return within 14 days, while Oregon allows up to 31 days. When the landlord returns your deposit, they must also provide a written itemization of any deductions (for example, $200 for a carpet stain, $150 for painting). If the landlord misses the deadline or makes improper deductions, many states allow you to sue for multiple times the amount withheld (two to three times is common), plus attorney's fees. Check your state's rules so you know your rights.

Moving Forward: Final Checklist

1. Search on Zillow, Apartments.com, Craigslist, Trulia, or Facebook Marketplace to find listings.
2. In New York City, check whether the FARE Act applies and who is paying any broker fee. Outside NYC, expect no broker fee.
3. Verify the listing is real by checking the address on Google Maps, the county assessor's website, and searching for duplicate listings on other platforms.
4. Meet the landlord or a verified representative in person before sending any money or personal information.
5. Gather your photo ID, proof of income, and rental references before you apply.
6. If you do not have an SSN, ask if an ITIN will work and provide it instead.
7. Ask the landlord about credit check fees and get a written quote for all upfront costs (first month's rent, security deposit, application fee, any broker fee).
8. Look up your state's security deposit law online before you sign.
9. Never pay by wire, gift card, cryptocurrency, or money order. Use ACH, check, credit card, or the landlord's online payment portal.
10. Sign a complete written lease and request a copy for yourself.