Apartments.com

Apartments.com is a large online apartment listing platform that provides renters with access to over 1,000,000 available units for rent. Owned by CoStar Group, it operates a comprehensive network of sites, serving as a primary advertising and marketing tool for property managers, multifamily marketers, and independent landlords to showcase their properties to potential tenants. The platform collects and verifies extensive data on rental properties, including availability, rates, and pet policies. While primarily a property search tool, the service processes significant personal information when renters inquire about listings or submit applications, which can include contact details, income history, and credit scores. This centralization of sensitive financial and housing information creates a potential for misuse if not properly secured, posing risks of fraud and identity theft. To mitigate these risks, individuals should be cautious about the information they share and can make privacy requests directly to the company.