Comparison
A one-profile alternative to Zillow's Chicago application
Zillow's rental application is a paid, time-limited application good for 30 days, valid only on participating Zillow listings. Illinois and Chicago's RLTO do not set a confirmed application-fee cap the way New York or California do, so the honest lever here is not a legal fee waiver — it is not re-applying from scratch every time.
| CertRent | Zillow | |
|---|---|---|
| How you apply | One profile you share with any landlord (at launch) | One fee covers applications to unlimited participating Zillow rentals |
| Expires? | No — refresh anytime | After 30 days |
| Works with any landlord? | Yes — share a link with anyone (at launch) | Participating Zillow rentals |
| Bank-verified rent history | Yes (at launch) | No |
| Verified income | Bank-verified (at launch) | Applicant uploads documents (pay stubs, W-2s, bank statements) |
| Ownership-checked references | Yes, Cook County records (at launch) | No |
| Hard credit report + background check | No (by design) | Yes (Experian credit report + CIC background check) |
Competitor details checked 2026-09-24 against their own public websites. Features and prices change, so confirm on their site before you sign up. CertRent accounts are waitlist-only for now: verified profiles, bank verification and rent certificates open at launch, and rent reporting is planned. Guides, templates and building lookups are free today.
When Zillow makes sense
If a specific landlord requires a hard credit pull and formal background check through Zillow's system, Zillow's application includes exactly that.
Where CertRent is the better fit
With no confirmed fee cap in Chicago, applying fewer times with a reusable, verified profile (once accounts open; waitlist now) is the practical way to spend less overall — even though it does not obligate a landlord to waive a fee.