Touring Rental Properties Remotely

This post was updated on Feb 9, 2021.

Depending on local public health orders in your area, rental tours or open houses may be limited, or you might prefer to narrow your rental search as much as possible before considering an in-person visit. Following the guidance of Zillow's health advisor, former Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, we recommend renters choose video and virtual tours over in-person tours whenever possible.

Video and virtual tours

While photos are helpful, video and virtual tours provide a better sense of the unit's layout. If a video tour of a rental property is not displayed on its Zillow listing, there’s no harm in asking the landlord or property manager if one is available. Even if the unit is currently occupied, some landlords and property managers will take videos of an apartment during their walkthrough inspection and may have one they can send you. They may also be willing to capture and upload a Zillow 3D Home® tour, which can be done using an iPhone. You can send them this link with information.

If the unit is unoccupied or the tenant has agreed for the property to be shown, you can also request a video walkthrough using your preferred video chat app.

Finally, keep an eye out for rental listings on Zillow with a “3D Home” label — this indicates the listing has a 3D Home tour, in which you can “walk” from room to room by clicking on the image at your own pace. Multifamily properties also often have websites with video or virtual tours that can help inform your decision.

In-person tour safety tips

If you do visit a rental in person, Dr. Benjamin recommends the following precautionary measures:

• Wear a face mask when touring a property.
• Maintain a 6-foot distance from anyone showing the property or touring at the same time.
• Avoid touching multiple surfaces when possible.
• Wash your hands with soap and water (or use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available) before and after touring.
• Bring your own hand sanitizer and wipes, as supplies may not be provided on-site.
• Avoid touring potential properties if you (or anyone in your home) has been sick within the last 14 days.

nLearn more about how Zillow is supporting our employees, customers, partners and communities during COVID-19 with our Move Forward. Stay Safe. initiative.