Frequently Asked Questions
Here are brief explanations for some of the most common questions about the For Rent By Owner system. If your question is not answered here, feel free to contact us by completing the form on the contact page.
Account and Login Questions:
New Posting Questions:
Existing Posting Questions:
Photos Questions:
Abuse / SPAM Questions:
Order Transaction and Security Questions:
FOR PROSPECTIVE TENANTSProperty Search Questions:
Other Questions:
My username and password is not working. What should I do?
The login system is case-sensitive, so make sure you are typing in your username and password exactly as you did when you signed up for the account.
Why do I get a message that my email address is not on file when I try to login?
It is possible that when you registered you had a typo in your email address. You can check that by viewing your own ad, as a potential tenant would do, and then send an email to yourself. If you don't get your email returned to you that you sent yourself, you probably made a typo in your email. Click "Contact‚" tell us what problems you're having so we can fix it for you.
I have forgotten my password. How can I get it emailed to me?
Click "Sign In‚" type in your email address, click "Forgot your password? Click here to send it to [your email address]." Your password will be sent to that address in a few seconds.
What if I lost or forgot my password and the email address on file is invalid so that, so I can't get my password delivered automatically, what should I do?
Click, "Contact‚" describe the problem and we'll help you get it fixed.
How do I post my property for rent?
On the home page of ForRentByOwner.com, click "Place an Ad." First time users must register. Click "Sign In" with your email address and a password of your choice. You will then be prompted for all the information you need for your ad, including a full text description of your property. Fill in the information, choose either a free 90-day posting or a $50 one-year posting (useful for vacation or seasonal rentals), then click "Place my Ad" at the bottom of the page. To include a free photo with your posting, click "Add Photos" and follow the directions. If you want to add more than one photo, or run your ad for a year, you will be prompted through the credit card payment process.
Can I hide my ad if it is rented?
To hide your ad, simply "Sign In", click "My Ads", then click "Hide Ad" to the right of the ad. Doing so hides your ad from prospective tenants. Your ad remains on file at "My Ads" but is not shown anywhere else on the site.
How do I unhide my ad?
To unhide an ad you had previously hidden, simply "Sign In", click "My Ads", then click "Unhide Ad" to the right of the ad. This makes your ad viewable to those searching the site. To update the description, price or add photos simply click the ad title or location at "My Ads", make any necessary changes and click "Update".
How can I verify that my ad posted correctly?
Your ad will appear in the "Recent Ads" on the home page immediately after you post it. Go to the home page and click "Rentals" or click on the map for postings by state.
Is it really free to place an ad?
Yes...and, you will get to add one photo for each posting at no charge also.
How many rentals can I post on this site for free?
You can post as many rental properties to the system as you would like. Each ad can have unlimited text and one photo. Ads remain on the site for three months, at no cost. If you update your ad, your ad is extended another three months.
How do I get my ad to appear at the top of the list?
Make any change to text or the photo and your ad will appear first and will also be extended for three months from the date of the change.
Are there any charges for anything?
Yes. There is a $10 charge for the second and each additional photo. You can also extend your posting to 12 months (text and one photo) for $50, which is probably best for vacation and seasonal rentals. Posting a second photo in a competitive rental market is a good idea. It also helps to pay for this site. If you purchase more than one photo, your ad will be posted first in your state and will also appear in "Recent Ads" on the home page. It will be superseded by newer ads meeting those conditions as they are posted.
How can I see all of my rentals posted on this site?
Click "Sign In‚" then click "My Ads".
Once my property is rented, how do I remove my ad from the site?
At the home page, click "Sign In". Enter your email address and the password you chose when you posted your ad and click "My Ads". All of your ads are displayed. Click on the ad you want to delete. Scroll to the bottom of the ad. Click "Delete" and click "Delete" again to confirm.
Will ForRentByOwner staff remove my posting from the site for me?
No. You must remove your own postings. The only exception is that ForRentByOwner may remove ads containing inappropriate content. If we do that, we may contact the person posting the ad. Unless extended, by purchasing a 12-month ad or by updating a free ad, every ad is automatically removed three months after it is posted.
How do I edit or update my ad?
Click "Sign In‚" click "My Ads" then click on the ad you want to edit or update. Make your changes and click "Update". Your ad is extended for three more months. If you don't want to proceed, click "Cancel".
How do I add a photo to my ad?
When posting your ad, click "Add Photos" at the bottom of the "Place your Ad" page. When the "Photos" page comes up, click "Browse..." to find your photo on your computer, then double click your photo to select it. To add more than one photo, repeat the photo selection process by clicking new "Browse..." buttons. Once you've selected all the photos you wish to add, click "Add Photos Now". If you are posting only one photo, you will be taken to the "My Ads" page, which will say "Photos added". Click on your ad and you will see the photo. If you are posting more than one photo, you will be taken to the "Pay" page.
To add a photo to an existing ad, click "Sign In‚" click "My Ads‚" then click the ad to which you want to add a photo. Add your photo (see above) and click "Update". If you don't want to proceed, click "Cancel".
What photo format does ForRentByOwner accept?
The site supports photos in .jpg format only.
Can I substitute a new photo for one already posted at no cost?
Yes. If you have posted just one free photo, click on the old photo to delete it and add the new photo. The procedure is the same for additional paid photos. Once you pay, you have a photo credit good for the number purchased for the time purchased.
What should I do if I receive an emailed solicitation that does not seem appropriate?
See the "7 Warning Signs" immediately below. Do not respond to the solicitation.
7 warning signs of possible fraud
If you are posting your rental property on the Internet and exchanging email with people you do not know, consider these 7 warning signs of possible fraud:
- Unable to perform a credit check on a prospective tenant, i.e., wrong or no social security number.
- Emails are overly polite, very poorly written or express excessive eagerness to rent without having inspected the property.
- Tenant does not send funds as promised or delays providing requested information.
- Email is sent from another country or the tenant claims to live in one country but email is sent from another with inadequate explanation.
- Beware of comments such as, "I need to hear from you today", "I am arriving next week and need to establish residency" or any indication of extreme urgency early in your communications.
- Tenant asks you not to cash a rent or security deposit check, or asks you to purchase items or contract services on his behalf.
- Finally, never provide your bank account number, bank routing number or other financial or personal information.
If you suspect fraudulent activity, report it to the FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov
Should I report postings with non-child-friendly language?
Yes. ForRentByOwner.com is a child-friendly site and we appreciate your letting us know about any inappropriate posting so that we can take action to have the posting removed.
How does my credit card charge get processed?
ForRentByOwner uses First Data Corporation for credit card processing. First Data Corporation is one of the world's largest independent, third party transaction processors. Visit their site: www.FirstData.com
What is your privacy policy?
ForRentByOwner guarantees that subscribers' email addresses are kept confidential and are not sold to or shared with any business or person. Email addresses are used solely for correspondence with users of this site.
What are the random numbers at the bottom of the email form used for?
Typing in the "Privacy Code" reduces SPAM.
How can I find a rental property listed on this site?
Click on the map. Then click on the state that you are searching. Or, type a key word into the "FIND" box or type into the "FIND" box. Ads are full-text searchable, so you can search by any feature that interests you. For example, typing in "horse" would search for all the horse properties. Typing in "vacation" would find all the vacation properties. You can also type in the name of the city or town to find properties.
Why does the "FIND" system give me the same search results even though I type in different search text?
You must click the "X" to the right of the "FIND" button with your mouse. That clears the previous search text.
Can I sort the list of rentals by type, location, rent, or posting date?
Yes. Simply click on any the underlined column headings for the desired sort.
If I see a posting that interests me, how can I get more information about it?
Click on the property you want, click on the owners name or email address and contact the owner. Or phone the owner if the owner's number is shown. Do not email ForRentByOwner. We supply the website but have no knowledge of individual rentals.
Can I ask ForRentByOwner to help find the property I want?
No. But you can "Register‚" "Sign In" and post a "Wanted" ad.
How do I find a property manager for my rental properties?
Click on the logo NARPM (National Association of Residential Property Managers) on the home page. At that site, click "Site Search" then click "Search for Property Managers" or call the Association at 800-782-3452.
What if the FAQ's do not have the answers to my questions?
Click "Contact" to email your question so we can help.
We would much appreciate your comments and suggestions for this site. What do you like about the site and how can the site be improved? Please click "Contact" on the home page and tell us. Thank you.
