Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Rentu and how it works.
About Rentu
What is Rentu?
Rentu cross-references 4 independent public datasets to give you a transparent, explained rental estimate for any US address. Unlike other tools, we show you every source and what it means — no black box.
How is Rentu different from Rentometer or Zillow?
Most rent tools give you one number with no explanation. Rentu shows all 3 underlying sources (Zillow ZORI, HUD Fair Market Rent, Zillow ZHVI), their individual values, freshness dates, and what each one measures.
Is Rentu affiliated with Zillow or HUD?
No. Rentu uses publicly available datasets from Zillow and government agencies. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with Zillow Group, HUD, or the US Census Bureau.
Data & Accuracy
What data sources does Rentu use?
(1) Zillow ZORI — asking-rent index, updated monthly. (2) HUD SAFMR — government fair market rent baseline, updated annually. (3) Zillow ZHVI — home value index used to derive an implied rent via observed market yield.
How often is data updated?
ZORI and ZHVI are updated monthly. HUD SAFMR is updated annually. We import the latest available data every month.
How accurate are the reports?
In urban areas with all 3 sources, reports are typically within 5–15% of actual market rates for 1–2BR units. For 3BR+ in dense urban ZIPs, the estimate can run 15–25% below market median — treat the range, not the single number. In rural areas with fewer sources, confidence is shown as "Sources mostly agree" or "Sources vary".
Why is my ZIP code not covered?
Rentu covers 38,000+ ZIP codes. Some rural ZIPs only have HUD data. If your ZIP has no data at all, try a nearby ZIP or the main city ZIP for the region.
Using Rentu
How many free reports do I get?
3 full reports per month, reset on the 1st. No credit card required. Each report includes the full estimate, all 3 source values, condition toggle, trend chart, and source visualization.
What is the condition adjustment?
Condition adjusts the estimate based on property state: Needs work (−12%), Average (no change), Renovated (+10%). Use the toggle on the results page to see the effect in real time.
What does the confidence level mean?
"Sources agree" = both sources returned data and are within 15% of each other. "Sources mostly agree" = both sources present but diverge 15–25%. "Sources vary" = sources diverge more than 25%, or only one source is available — treat the range, not the single number.
Can I use the AI input box?
Yes — type or paste a property description in plain English, or paste a Zillow/Redfin listing. The AI extracts address, bedrooms, type, and condition. If any required field is missing, it asks a follow-up.
Pricing
What does Plus include?
Plus ($9/mo or $90/yr): 100 reports per month, 7 AI questions per report, PDF and Excel export, and branded PDF (your logo).
What does Pro include?
Pro ($15/mo or $150/yr): 250 reports per month, 25 AI questions per report, branded PDF, and everything in Plus.
Is there a free trial?
The free tier is a permanent free plan — 3 full reports per month, forever. No credit card required.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Monthly and annual subscriptions cancel anytime from your account settings. You keep access until the end of your billing period.