SEATTLE, July 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Zillow, part
of the largest rental network on the web, introduced new tools that
give time-strapped renters a competitive edge and save landlords
the hassle and time of screening prospective tenants, performing
background checks, and collecting rent.
Now, renters can apply for multiple rentals with one application
– including background and credit reports -- and pay their rent
through new features on Zillow.
The 35 million renters who visit Zillow Group's rental sites and
mobile apps each month want the rental process to be as easy and
seamless as other transactions in their life, like ordering
groceries or booking a ride. According to the upcoming 2018 Zillow
Group Consumer Housing Trends Reporti, the majority of
renters want to send applications (59 percent) and pay their rent
(57 percent) online.
Many renters live in highly competitive markets and are on tight
timelines – half of renters have less than three months' notice to
find a place to liveii -- so speed is also important. In
a typical search, renters fill out three applicationsiii
with an average cost of $40 each, so
a feature like online applications will streamline the process and
help renters secure their next home quickly, efficiently, while
saving money.
New features on Zillow include:
- Online applications. For a $29 fee, renters can submit one application as
many times as necessary during their search within 30 days. The
online application includes a credit report provided by Experian®,
and an eviction history and background check powered by Checkr®.
Renters also can offer any additional context and explanation on
their rental and credit history.
- Online payment. Renters can choose the payment type --
debit or credit -- that best fits their needs. Renters can also set
up automatic payments. Property managers no longer need to collect
payments, instead having them delivered directly by Zillow
Group.
"Renters tell us they want the entire rental process to happen
online, from search to application to payment," said Zillow
president Jeremy Wacksman. "However,
most landlords don't have the resources to offer these services.
We're excited to provide the technology to help renters and
landlords have a better experience."
For landlords and property managers, not only do these new
features remove the hassle and time commitment of managing
additional vendors for background checks and collecting rental
payments, but they also can request and collect applications and
process rent payments within Zillow Rental Manager, the same
platform where they manage their rental listings on Zillow. To
start accepting applications and payments, users simply need to
enable them within their Zillow Rental Manager account.
Zillow
Zillow® is the leading real estate and rental
marketplace dedicated to empowering consumers with data,
inspiration and knowledge around the place they call home, and
connecting them with great real estate professionals. Zillow serves
the full lifecycle of owning and living in a home: buying, selling,
renting, financing, remodeling and more. Zillow Offers provides
homeowners in some metropolitan areas with the opportunity to
receive offers from Zillow. When Zillow buys a home, it will make
necessary updates and list the home for resale on the open
market.
In addition to Zillow.com, Zillow operates the most popular
suite of mobile real estate apps, with more than two dozen apps
across all major platforms. Launched in 2006, Zillow is owned and
operated by Zillow Group (NASDAQ:Z and ZG) and headquartered in
Seattle.
Zillow is a registered trademark of Zillow, Inc. Zillow Offers
is a trademark of Zillow, Inc.
Experian is a registered trademark of Experian Information
Solutions, Inc.
Checkr is a registered trademark of Checkr, Inc.
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i The
2018 Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report, releasing in its
entirety this fall, is the largest-ever survey of U.S. home buyers,
sellers, owners and renters. The survey asked more than 13,000 U.S.
residents aged 18 to 75 about their homes – how they search for
them, pay for them, maintain and improve them, and what
frustrations and aspirations color their
decisions.
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ii According to the 2018 Zillow Group
Consumer Housing Trend Report, of renters that rented their
previous home, 52 percent had less than 3 months
notice when they realized they would not renew their lease or
would need to move out.
|
iii According to the 2018 Zillow
Group Consumer Housing Trend Report, on average renters submit 3.3
applications when searching for a new rental.
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SOURCE Zillow