Comparison
A free-profile alternative to Zillow's LA application
Zillow's rental application is a paid, time-limited application good for 30 days, valid only on participating Zillow listings. California separately caps what any landlord can charge to screen you at all — currently about $65.86, adjusted yearly under Civil Code §1950.6 — with refund rights under AB 2493 if the unit goes to someone else. A CertRent profile (opening at launch; waitlist now) is designed not to expire and can be shared with any landlord.
| 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, LA County records (at launch) | No |
| CA screening-fee cap applies | Yes — know your rights either way | Yes — know your rights either way |
| 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. A CertRent profile deliberately does not run criminal or eviction-court checks — a privacy feature, but it means it is not a background check.
Where CertRent is the better fit
For LA renters applying to several places, landlords outside Zillow's network usually mean a separate application and fee each time. A CertRent profile (opening at launch; waitlist now) is designed to be portable and bank-verified — and either way, know your CC §1950.6 / AB 2493 rights: a capped fee, an itemized receipt, and a refund if the unit goes to someone else.