Comparison
A free alternative to Zillow's application fee
Zillow's rental application costs $35 and covers 30 days of applications — but only on participating Zillow listings. A CertRent profile is free, never expires, and works with any landlord. Here's an honest side-by-side.
| CertRent | Zillow Applications | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to renter | Free | $35 per 30-day window |
| Expires? | No — refresh anytime | After 30 days |
| Works with any landlord? | Yes — share a link with anyone | Participating Zillow listings |
| Bank-verified rent history | Yes | No |
| Verified income | Yes | Self-reported |
| Ownership-checked references | Yes (NYC public records) | No |
| Triggers NY $20 fee waiver | Designed to (RPL §238-a) | It is the fee |
| Hard credit report + background check | No (by design) | Yes (Experian + checks) |
When Zillow makes sense
We'll be straight with you: if a specific landlord requires a hard credit pull and formal background check through Zillow's system, Zillow's $35 application includes exactly that. A CertRent profile deliberately doesn't run criminal or eviction-court checks — that's a feature for your privacy, but it means it isn't a background check.
When CertRent is the better move
For most NYC renters applying to several apartments, paying $35 every 30 days adds up — and under New York law you may not have to. A CertRent profile is free, portable, bank-verified, and under RPL §238-a a landlord must waive the (max $20) application fee when you bring your own recent report. Apply to ten places with one free profile instead of paying each time.