Apartments.com Rent Collection: The Fees They Don't Put on the Homepage
Apartments.com absorbed Cozy's landlord tools and became a major rent collection platform. But between landlord dashboard fees, tenant card processing charges, and the platform's primary agenda of selling listing upgrades — it's worth knowing exactly what you're paying.
Electronic rent collection needs Verify ($5) or Platinum. Free includes 1 door and enough AI credits to try John.
How Apartments.com Rent Collection Actually Works
After Cozy's shutdown in December 2022, Apartments.com became the default option for thousands of displaced landlords. The platform offers rent collection, applications, and lease storage — but the fee structure is more complex than Cozy was.
| Feature / Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Basic landlord access | Free (limited features) |
| Full landlord dashboard | $4/month |
| ACH payment (bank transfer) | Free to landlord (tenant may pay fee) |
| Card payment processing | 2.99% charged to tenant |
| Background check (applicant pays) | Varies by report type |
| Premium listing visibility | $29–$99/month |
| Lease templates (basic) | Included |
The 2.99% card fee adds up fast.
On a $1,400 rent payment, that's $41.86 in card fees — every month. For a 5-unit landlord with all tenants paying by card: $209/month in card processing alone. VerticalRent uses a 3% platform fee on collections.
The Real Cost for a 5-Unit Landlord
Assuming 5 units, average rent of $1,400/month. Let's do the math.
Apartments.com (if tenants use card, $1,400 avg rent)
Card fees paid by tenants, but landlord still eats the friction
Monthly
$209/mo in card fees alone
Annual
$2,508/yr in card fees + $48/yr dashboard
Apartments.com (ACH only, no card)
Works only if all tenants use ACH
Monthly
~$10/mo + $4 dashboard
Annual
$168/yr
VerticalRent (Platinum, 5 doors, 3% rent processing)
First door $5, extra doors $2 each (capped $99). Platinum AI risk score, lease gen, tax summary.
Monthly
$13/mo software + 3% of rent collected
Annual
$156/yr Platinum + processing on collections
VerticalRent's $156/year Platinum for 5 doors includes AI risk scoring, AI lease generation, and AI tax summary that Apartments.com doesn't offer at any price tier. Any single screening report is 1 credit ($5). Platinum includes identity and 1 report each month. The pricing comparison understates VerticalRent's value because it doesn't account for the AI capabilities you're getting.
3% + $13
3% rent platform fee. Platinum for 5 doors is $13/month.
$5 first door + $2 × 4 extra doors, capped at $99. Same 3% on Free and Platinum.
The Honest Take on Apartments.com
What Apartments.com Does Well
What Apartments.com Doesn't Do
Apartments.com vs. VerticalRent — Full Comparison
| Feature | VerticalRent | Apartments.com |
|---|---|---|
| Rent collection fee | 3% platform fee | 2.99% card / $4/mo dashboard |
| Free for 1-unit landlords | First door + workspace | Limited / $4/mo for full access |
| AI tenant risk score | Platinum | Not available |
| AI lease generation | Platinum | Not available |
| AI maintenance triage | Platinum | Not available |
| AI tax summary | Platinum | Not available |
| Listing syndication | Focused on management | Excellent — top-5 rental site |
| Income/expense ledger | Ledger on Free; AI categorize is Platinum | Not available |
| FCRA adverse action notices | Auto-generated | Not available |
| Applicant-pays screening | Optional on applicant invites | Applicant pays |
Based on publicly available information as of 2026. Features may vary by plan.
The AI Features Apartments.com Doesn't Have
Apartments.com is a listing company. VerticalRent is a landlord management platform. That difference shows up in every feature — especially AI.
AI Risk Score
Platinum
AI Lease Gen
Platinum
AI Maintenance
Platinum
AI Tax Summary
Platinum
AI Listings
Platinum
AI Expense Cat.
Platinum
The Bottom Line
Apartments.com is a legitimate platform for landlords who want listing distribution. If your primary concern is getting a vacant unit filled fast, Apartments.com's reach into the renter market is genuinely valuable.
But if your primary concern is managing your tenants after you've found them — collecting rent affordably, screening rigorously, generating leases quickly, and handling maintenance intelligently — Apartments.com isn't built for that. VerticalRent is.
Landlord Platinum for 5 doors is $13/month. The 3% collection fee is the same on Free and Platinum. Add AI features Apartments.com doesn't have at any price, and the product gap is the point — not a fake $3-flat rent fee.
Apartments.com Rent Collection FAQ
Does Apartments.com charge landlords for rent collection?
Apartments.com charges $4/month for the full landlord dashboard. Tenants pay 2.99% for card payments.
Is Apartments.com free for landlords?
Basic access is free, but full rent collection features require a paid subscription of approximately $4/month.
What is the best Apartments.com alternative for rent collection?
VerticalRent charges a 3% rent platform fee — the same on Free and Platinum after Verify ($5) or Platinum identity. Landlord Platinum is $5/month plus $2 per extra door, never more than $99. Platinum includes AI risk scoring, AI lease generation, and AI maintenance triage. Any single report is 1 screening credit ($5). A $5 identity check becomes 1 credit. Platinum includes identity and 1 report each month.
Did Apartments.com replace Cozy?
Yes. CoStar shut down Cozy on December 31, 2022 and migrated all users to Apartments.com's landlord platform.
How does Apartments.com compare to VerticalRent for rent collection?
Apartments.com is stronger on listing distribution. VerticalRent is stronger on AI features and management tools. If you care more about finding tenants, Apartments.com. If you care more about managing them, VerticalRent.
3% Collections. Platinum from $5/mo.
Switch to VerticalRent for Platinum AI risk scores, leases, and a 3% rent platform fee — with landlord Platinum at $5 plus $2 per extra door.
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