Is Apartment.com Legit and Safe or a Scam?

Apartments.com is a popular online rental platform that helps people find apartments, houses, condos, and townhomes. It also gives landlords tools to advertise properties, accept applications, screen tenants, sign leases, and collect rent. The site is operated by CoStar and offers useful search filters, photos, pricing details, and neighborhood information. While it is a genuine service, renters should still check listings carefully and avoid suspicious payment requests before sending money.

If you are searching for a new apartment, you may be wondering: Is Apartment.com legit and safe, or is it a scam? The short answer is that Apartment.com is legit, but there is an important detail to understand. The domain Apartment.com currently redirects users to Apartments.com, the well-known rental marketplace operated by CoStar Realty Information, Inc.

Apartments.com is a genuine rental-search platform where people can look for apartments, houses, condos, and townhomes. Property owners and managers can also advertise rentals, receive applications, sign leases, and collect rent online. According to the platform, it contains more than one million rental listings.

However, being a legitimate company does not mean every property listing, landlord, or rental offer on the platform is automatically safe. Rental scams can still happen. Apartments.com itself warns users about fraudulent listings and advises renters to carefully check a property before sending money.

In this Apartment.com review, I will look at its legitimacy, security, complaints, payments, customer service, user reviews, and possible problems.

What Apartment.com Means

Apartment.com is essentially a doorway to Apartments.com. When you visit Apartment.com, you are redirected to the Apartments.com rental marketplace.

The service is designed to connect renters with property owners, landlords, and property management companies.

Users can search for:

• Apartments
• Houses
• Condos
• Townhomes
• Rental communities
• Pet-friendly rentals
• Properties based on price
• Rentals in specific neighborhoods
• Properties with selected amenities

Apartments.com also offers tools for property owners. They can advertise properties, receive applications, screen potential tenants, prepare leases, and collect rent.

This means Apartment.com is not a company that directly owns most of the apartments you see. It works mainly as a marketplace connecting renters and property providers.

Is Apartment.com Legit?

Yes, Apartment.com is legit because the domain redirects to Apartments.com, an established rental marketplace operated by CoStar Realty Information, Inc.

The official Apartments.com terms identify CoStar Realty Information, Inc. as the company providing the service through the Apartments.com brand.

There are several strong signs showing that the business itself is legitimate:

• Apartments.com has formal terms and conditions.
• It has a published privacy policy.
• It provides customer-support channels.
• It offers established rental-management tools.
• It works with TransUnion for renter screening.
• It supports legitimate online rent-payment systems.
• CoStar has been operating as a business for decades.

The Better Business Bureau profile for CoStar also lists Apartments.com as one of its alternate business names. The BBB profile states that the company began operations in 1987.

Therefore, someone asking “Is Apartment.com legit?” should understand that the website itself is connected to a genuine and established company.

That does not mean you should blindly trust every person who contacts you through a rental listing. The platform and the individual landlord are two different things.

Is Apartment.com Safe?

For normal browsing and account use, Apartment.com is generally safe when it redirects you to the official Apartments.com website.

Apartments.com says it uses industry-standard safeguards to protect personal information. The company also uses security and fraud-prevention measures to authenticate users and identify suspicious activity.

Its security features include:

• Two-factor authentication
• Account verification
• Fraud monitoring
• Secure online payments
• Identity checks for certain services
• Property-listing verification
• Screening tools provided through TransUnion

Apartments.com states that every account has two-factor authentication. Depending on the situation, a user may receive a one-time security code by email or text message before accessing certain account areas.

I see this as a positive sign because someone who steals your password may still have difficulty accessing protected parts of your account.

However, no website can guarantee complete protection. Apartments.com’s privacy notice also makes clear that no company can guarantee the security of information transmitted through the internet.

So, Apartment.com is safe when used carefully, but users must still protect themselves.

Is Apartment.com a Scam?

The evidence does not support calling Apartment.com or Apartments.com itself a scam.

It is a real rental marketplace operated by an established company. However, scammers may attempt to place fake rental advertisements or impersonate landlords on rental websites.

Apartments.com openly admits that it cannot guarantee its marketplaces are completely free from fraudulent listings. It says suspicious listings are investigated and may be removed.

Common warning signs include:

• Rent that appears unusually cheap
• A landlord refusing to meet you
• Pressure to send money immediately
• Requests for wire transfers
• Requests for Western Union or MoneyGram payments
• A landlord claiming to be overseas
• Requests to pay before viewing the property
• Someone pretending Apartments.com is holding your money in escrow
• Requests to continue the transaction through another suspicious website

Apartments.com specifically warns that it does not participate directly in rental transactions between landlords and renters in the way scammers sometimes claim.

If someone says, “Send the deposit to Apartments.com and they will hold it until I mail the keys,” you should become extremely cautious.

Is Apartment.com Legal?

Yes, Apartment.com is legal as an online rental marketplace.

The service operates under CoStar Realty Information, Inc. and publishes formal terms governing its services.

However, rental laws differ depending on where you live. Landlords, tenants, applications, deposits, background checks, discrimination rules, and leases may be subject to federal, state, and local laws.

The fact that a rental is listed on Apartments.com does not automatically prove that:

• The landlord complies with every local law.
• The property has every required permit.
• A requested fee is legal in your state.
• Every lease condition is enforceable.
• Every listing detail is accurate.

You should still research local housing rules before paying a large deposit or signing a lease.

Licensing and Regulation

Apartment.com is not an online casino, bank, or investment company, so it does not need a gambling or financial-services license simply to operate its rental-search marketplace.

The more relevant question is whether there is a real company behind the service.

There is.

Apartments.com’s terms state that the service is provided by CoStar Realty Information, Inc.

For renters, licensing should normally be checked at the property level when necessary. For example, depending on your location, you may want to confirm that a property manager, broker, or landlord has any license or registration required under local law.

Do not assume an Apartments.com listing acts as a government approval of a property.

Game Selection

There is no Game Selection on Apartment.com because this is not a casino or gaming platform.

Instead, its main “selection” is rental properties.

Apartments.com says users can search more than one million listings covering apartments, houses, condos, and townhomes.

Searchers can normally compare properties using information such as:

• Monthly rent
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Location
• Pet policies
• Amenities
• Property photos
• Availability
• Neighborhood information
• Virtual tours
• Fees and move-in details

This large property selection is one reason the website is popular among people searching for rentals.

Software Providers

Apartment.com does not have casino software providers. Instead, Apartments.com uses outside technology and service providers for some parts of its rental platform.

For example, TransUnion is used for tenant screening reports. Applicants can obtain credit, criminal, and eviction screening reports when using participating listings.

Apartments.com’s terms also reference Stripe in connection with third-party payment processing arrangements.

These partnerships add credibility because established third-party systems are involved in sensitive parts of the service.

User Interface and Experience

The Apartments.com interface offers a wide range of tools for renters.

You can search based on location and adjust filters to narrow down your choices. Property pages can include photos, prices, amenities, contact information, floor plans, neighborhood information, and other details.

The website also promotes AI-assisted rental searching, neighborhood information, availability details, fees, pet policies, and Matterport 3D tours.

For landlords, the platform includes tools for:

• Advertising rentals
• Collecting applications
• Screening renters
• Creating leases
• Collecting payments
• Managing rental records

However, user experience is not perfect. Some Apartment.com complaints online mention difficulties changing listing information, customer-service problems, expensive advertising subscriptions, and problems getting useful leads.

These complaints do not automatically make the company a scam, but they are worth considering.

Security Measures

Security is especially important because rental applications may involve sensitive personal information.

Apartments.com says its application system uses security measures designed to safeguard personal information. It also says an applicant’s SSN or ITIN used for TransUnion screening is not provided in full to the property lister.

Other security measures include:

• Two-factor authentication
• Email or SMS access codes
• Identity verification
• Fraud detection
• Secure financial transactions
• Monitoring suspicious listings
• Reporting tools
• Administrative, technical, and physical safeguards

Apartments.com also says it uses bank-level encryption when handling online rent payments.

One issue users should understand is privacy. CoStar’s privacy policy explains that the company may collect account information, browsing activity, communications, financial information, and other information depending on how its services are used. It can also work with vendors and business partners for activities such as payment processing, analytics, advertising, and infrastructure services.

I recommend reading the privacy policy if you plan to provide sensitive information through the site.

Rental Applications and Screening

Apartments.com offers an online application and tenant-screening service.

As of June 2026, applicants using the service pay $32 plus applicable tax for an application and screening package. The application can then be shared with up to 10 participating landlords during a 30-day period.

Screening may include:

• Credit information
• Criminal-history information
• Eviction information

This feature can make apartment hunting easier because you may not have to complete a completely separate application for every participating property.

However, not every property participates in the reusable application system.

Customer Support

Apartments.com provides help centers for both renters and property owners.

Support materials cover areas such as:

• Searching for rentals
• Applications
• Online tours
• Lease signing
• Rent payments
• Fraud prevention
• Account security
• Property management

The platform’s fraud guidance also provides methods for reporting suspicious listings.

This is a positive sign.

However, customer support is also one of the areas mentioned in negative Apartment.com reviews. Some reviewers say they had difficulty resolving listing or advertising problems.

So while support exists, the quality of individual experiences may vary.

Payment Methods

Apartments.com allows qualifying renters to make rent payments through its system.

Available payment options currently include:

• ACH bank transfer
• Debit card
• Credit card
• Google Pay
• Apple Pay

Paying rent through a checking account using ACH is free. Card payments, Google Pay, and Apple Pay are generally charged a 2.75% processing fee.

Property owners are not charged to receive rent through the basic online rent-payment system.

This makes Apartments.com’s payment system useful, but always make sure you are logged into the genuine website before entering bank or card details.

Never send a payment simply because someone claiming to be a landlord gives you a payment link.

Bonuses and Promotions

Apartment.com does not provide gambling bonuses.

However, rental properties advertised on Apartments.com may occasionally offer promotions such as:

• Reduced deposits
• Free weeks of rent
• Discounted first-month rent
• Move-in specials
• Application promotions
• Limited-time leasing offers

These promotions normally come from individual landlords or property managers rather than Apartments.com itself.

Always read the conditions carefully.

A “one month free” apartment may require you to sign a longer lease, move in before a specific date, or meet other conditions.

Reputation and User Reviews

The overall picture is mixed.

The company behind Apartments.com is established and clearly identifiable. At the same time, third-party reviews contain a significant number of complaints.

At the time of this review, Trustpilot showed Apartments.com with a rating of around 1.6 out of 5 from 129 reviews. Trustpilot also notes that the profile is unclaimed and that reviews may not represent the experience of every customer.

Recent complaints have included issues involving:

• Poor landlord advertising performance
• Difficulty correcting listings
• Customer-support frustrations
• Website usability
• Subscription costs
• Rental application dissatisfaction
• Review moderation
• Low numbers of leads for landlords

The BBB profile for CoStar also contains consumer reviews and identifies Apartments.com as one of CoStar’s business names.

It is important to separate Apartments.com complaints about the platform itself from complaints about individual apartment communities. A renter complaining about mice, maintenance, parking, or a property manager does not necessarily mean Apartments.com caused the problem.

Interestingly, Apartments.com changed its community rating system in 2026 so displayed property scores are based specifically on resident feedback rather than blending resident reviews with CoStar’s building rating.

Apartment.com Problems

Like any large rental marketplace, Apartment.com has some problems users should know about.

Possible disadvantages include:

• Fraudulent listings may occasionally appear.
• Listing information may sometimes be outdated.
• Some landlords complain about advertising costs.
• Some users report difficulty getting support.
• Not every landlord participates in the reusable application feature.
• Card rent payments have a processing fee.
• Application fees are generally non-refundable simply because you do not get the apartment.
• A legitimate platform cannot guarantee that every landlord is genuine.
• Users need to provide sensitive information when using certain application or payment features.

The most important issue is probably the risk of interacting with someone impersonating a genuine landlord.

How to Use Apartment.com Safely

Even though Apartment.com is safe for normal use, I would still take basic precautions.

Before paying anyone:

• Visit the property when possible.
• Confirm the landlord or property manager’s identity.
• Research the property independently.
• Compare the rent with similar nearby homes.
• Never wire money to a stranger.
• Be suspicious of landlords who claim to be overseas.
• Do not allow someone to pressure you into paying immediately.
• Read the lease before signing.
• Use the official Apartments.com website or app.
• Enable and use two-factor authentication.
• Never share your account verification code.
• Report suspicious listings.

Apartments.com specifically warns users to be careful when a supposed landlord refuses to meet in person, requests wire transfers, or creates an artificial sense of urgency.

Is Apartment.com Genuine?

Yes. Apartment.com is genuine in the sense that it redirects to the real Apartments.com platform.

There are several clear signs of legitimacy:

• An identifiable corporate operator
• Published legal terms
• A detailed privacy policy
• Established rental-search services
• Rental-management tools
• TransUnion screening
• Secure payment options
• Two-factor authentication
• Customer support
• Fraud-reporting procedures

These factors strongly separate it from a typical fake rental website created only to steal deposits.

Still, remember that a genuine marketplace can contain fraudulent users. Think of the website as the marketplace, not as a personal guarantee for every landlord using it.

Pros and Cons of Apartment.com

Pros

• Legit and well-known: Apartments.com is a genuine rental platform operated by CoStar.
• Easy property search: You can search apartments, houses, condos, and townhomes in one place.
• Useful filters: It is easy to compare rent, location, bedrooms, amenities, and other details.
• Online applications: Some properties let you apply directly through the platform.
• Security features: Apartments.com uses account protection and fraud-prevention measures.
• Rent payment options: Some tenants can pay rent online through the site.
• Helpful for landlords: Property owners can advertise rentals and manage applications.

Cons

• Fake listings can still appear: Not every landlord or rental offer is guaranteed to be genuine.
• Some services have fees: Rental applications and certain payment methods may cost extra.
• Mixed customer reviews: Some users complain about customer support and listing problems.
• Information may be outdated: Prices or availability can sometimes change before listings are updated.
• You still need to be careful: I recommend checking the property and landlord before sending money or signing a lease.

Conclusion: Is Apartment.com Legit and Safe?

Overall, Apartment.com is legit and generally safe, not a fake rental website or obvious scam. The singular Apartment.com domain currently redirects to Apartments.com, which is operated by CoStar Realty Information, Inc. The platform offers genuine rental searches, applications, tenant screening, online leases, and rent-payment services.

There are also several reassuring security features, including two-factor authentication, identity verification, fraud monitoring, listing screening, secure payment technology, and TransUnion-powered applicant screening.

However, I would not describe every rental found there as automatically safe. Apartments.com itself says it cannot guarantee that its marketplace is completely free of fraudulent listings.

There are also genuine Apartment.com complaints and problems worth considering. Third-party reviewers have criticized customer support, advertising performance, listing management, and other aspects of the service. Those complaints should not be ignored, but they do not by themselves prove that Apartments.com is a scam.

My final verdict is that Apartment.com is legitimate and Apartment.com is safe to use with normal precautions. You can use it to search for housing, compare properties, contact landlords, apply for rentals, and potentially pay rent. But never treat a listing as automatically verified simply because it appears on a major website.

Before sending a deposit or signing a lease, confirm the property, landlord, price, and payment instructions independently. If a rental deal seems unusually cheap or someone pressures you to send money before viewing the property, walk away and investigate further.

Apartments.com FAQ in Brief

Is Apartments.com legit?
Yes. Apartments.com is a legitimate rental platform operated by CoStar.

Is Apartments.com safe?
Generally, yes. The site uses security measures, but users should still be careful with individual listings and landlords.

Is Apartments.com a scam?
No. Apartments.com itself is not a scam, although fake rental listings can sometimes appear on large marketplaces.

What can I find on Apartments.com?
You can search for apartments, houses, condos, townhomes, and other rental properties.

Does Apartments.com charge renters?
Searching for properties is free, but some services, such as rental applications, may involve fees.

Can I pay rent through Apartments.com?
Yes. Some landlords allow tenants to make rent payments through the Apartments.com platform.

Does Apartments.com verify listings?
The platform uses verification and fraud-prevention measures, but it cannot guarantee that every listing is completely genuine.

How can I avoid Apartments.com scams?
Check the property, confirm the landlord’s identity, avoid suspicious wire transfers, and never rush into sending money.

Can landlords use Apartments.com?
Yes. Landlords can advertise rentals, receive applications, screen tenants, manage leases, and collect rent.

Is Apartments.com worth using?
Yes, it can be a useful place to compare rental properties, but you should always research a listing before making payments or signing a lease.