A great rental listing includes an informative title and stellar description that properly describes your rental property. While it’s easy to assume that tenants care more about the rental price, the photos, and the location of an apartment, they also pay attention to the description. The rental listing description should complement the photos and other features of your listing while demonstrating you’re a sophisticated landlord.
To help you become a professional at writing an engaging description, we’ve outlined everything you need to know on rental listings and what information to include.
The Magic Formula for Writing Rental Listing Descriptions
Every rental listing should include the information tenants need to gauge whether or not your rental property is right for them. If you’re unsure of what that information is, you can always utilize this formula that has helped hundreds of landlords attract quality tenants:
“{One Great Feature}: {Adjective}, {Adjective} {# of beds} bedroom {# of baths} bathroom {type of house} in {your neighborhood}, available {date available}. Close to {a few awesome things nearby, like restaurants, shops, etc.}. Has {List of some distinct features in the property, like hardwood floors, balconies, etc.}. {Is / Is not } pet-friendly. {Rent-amount}/month, {number of months deposit} month security deposit. Utilities {list of utilities} included. Applicants must complete a rental application and authorize a {$ amount} credit and background check. Call {your first name} at {your phone number}.”
You should also list the rental price and other pertinent information, which are key aspects of your listing title. Here’s an example of the formula in use:
4 Tips to Writing an Effective Rental Listing Description
Here are four expert tips on how to write an effective rental listing description for your property.
1. Use Originality in Your Listing Description
Apartment searching can be exciting for tenants — it’s an opportunity for them to upgrade their life. Writing an engaging rental listing description is a way to sell a lifestyle your rental property can provide. Tenants will be thrilled to find a better location, a better price, better amenities, or even a better landlord.
Keep in mind that tenants will read a lot of listings, so you’ll need to stand out from your competition. A great way to do that is by avoiding phrases like, ‘great amenities’ or ‘convenient location.’ It’s more impactful to describe the unique attributes of your unit.
Highlight popular features if you have them. According to Zillow’s published trends, including things like farmhouse sinks, barn doors, subway tiles, and quartz are selling points. Units with these features are renting faster and for more money, so be sure to highlight popular features in your listing description if you have them.
2. Incorporate Style in Your Listing Description
If your unit is luxurious because it is fully updated, then describe what is updated. It’s more effective to highlight what your unit offers a tenant — maybe it’s a faster commute because your unit is close to the train, or maybe it’s a fun neighborhood with bars nearby.
Likewise, exclamation points and all caps often have the opposite effect than you desire. If you want to stir up excitement, then write what’s great about your unit. You don’t have to be a salesperson — be straightforward and genuine. Remember that word choice and descriptors are powerful. You can say “large family room,” but it’s better to say, “spacious family room with bay windows overlooking Clark street.”
3. Listing Description Length and Format
The ideal description is four to six sentences. Pick two of your best features and one exciting attraction nearby. Short, informative sentences are all you need.
Rental listing descriptions are best formatted as a paragraph. Bullet-points are great for lists, but the description is not a list — it should be full of useful, persuasive information. It’s a more professional format.
If writing isn’t your favorite task, our system can generate a rental listing description based on the provided information when creating a rental listing. An example of a suggested description is:
Once you’ve added all the details, you can publish your listing across a dozen rental sites with one click and manage your tenant leads — for free.
4. Comply With Fair Housing Laws
Be sure to comply with all laws throughout your search for a new tenant. It’s a violation of Fair Housing laws to mention national origin, race, gender, disability, religion, or familial status anywhere in your description. For instance, you can’t write, “Looking for a young couple.”
This is true throughout the entire rental process. As you’re showing your rental property, it’s illegal to say things like “This building is perfect for a family with kids” or steer certain tenants to a particular unit.
Learn more about what not to say in your rental listing to comply with Fair Housing.
Other Information to Include in Your Listing Description
It’s best to mention your tenant screening requirements, which can include completing a credit and background check, and any associated costs. Including this tells the tenant what these reports will cost them, and can discourage tenants from applying who aren’t seriously interested in authorizing those reports or applying to your property.
Find Your Next Tenant With Avail
The description is the biggest piece of content in your listing, so it’s important to do it well. Keep it simple, paint a picture, and highlight your top selling points.
If you’re ready to market your rental property, create an Avail account to set up your rental property and get your listing across the top rental sites for free. Already have an account? Log in.
