Rent

Rent.com operates as an online marketplace and apartment search engine, connecting property managers and owners with prospective tenants across the United States. Founded in 1999 as Viva.com by Scott Ingraham and Allan Hunter, the company has undergone several ownership changes, reflecting shifts in the digital real estate landscape. Ingraham and Hunter, both former executives at multifamily company Oasis Residential, launched the platform, which was among the first to use a pay-for-performance model, charging property managers a fee upon the successful signing of a lease.

The company's journey includes a significant acquisition by eBay in late 2004 for approximately $415 million. Subsequently, in 2012, the platform was acquired from eBay by Primedia, later known as RentPath, for a similar amount. This strategic move consolidated Rent.com into a broader network of rental sites. The most recent major transaction occurred in April 2021, when Redfin acquired RentPath, including Rent.com and its sister sites like ApartmentGuide.com and Rentals.com, for $608 million. Following this acquisition, in June 2022, parent company RentPath rebranded to Rent. to signify its evolution from an advertising service to a more integrated technology and software-driven company.

The platform's business model is centered on a two-sided marketplace structure. For renters, the service is free, providing a comprehensive database of rental listings that can be filtered by price, location, and amenities. Detailed property information, including photos, floor plans, and virtual tours, is available to help users make informed decisions. Revenue is generated primarily from property management companies and individual landlords who pay for advertising and premium listing services to gain enhanced visibility for their properties. The company also offers a suite of digital marketing solutions for its business clients, including search engine marketing, social media marketing, lead nurturing, and reputation management. As of mid-2025, Rent.com's services have been integrated into the Zillow Rentals Network, and listings for smaller properties are managed through Redfin Rental Tools.

Keywords: apartment rentals, online marketplace, property listings, real estate technology, digital marketing, tenant screening, property management, rental search engine, lease management, renter tools