Explore video and virtual tour options, and get tips for touring safely when visiting a rental in person.
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.
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.
If you do visit a rental in person, Dr. Benjamin recommends the following precautionary measures:
nLearn more about how Zillow is supporting our employees, customers, partners and communities during COVID-19 with our Move Forward. Stay Safe. initiative.
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