Guide · For owners
Safe Rental Showings
A friendly, practical guide to showing a home safely and fairly, protecting visitors, owners and current residents alike.
Where to start
- Something feels wrong right now?
Leave. It is always okay to go. See if a showing feels unsafe.
- Touring a home soon?
Read touring safely before you go.
- Showing a home soon?
Work through the showing day checklist.
The short version
A showing is often someone’s first impression of a home and of you, and done safely and fairly, it sets the tone for everything.
Have someone present at every showing, give current residents proper notice, and keep visits short and respectful.
Treat every visitor the same, share the same information, and never take payment before the visitor has confirmed the owner and seen a lease.
Share your plans with someone, trust your instincts, and leave any situation that feels wrong.
Rules about showings and notice differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Someone is always present
A trusted person should be at every showing. It protects the home, the visitor and the owner.
- 2Respect current residents
Give proper notice, keep visits short, and treat their home and belongings with care.
- 3Same welcome for everyone
Every visitor gets the same information, the same answers and the same chance.
- 4Safety comes first
Share your plans with someone, keep your phone handy, and trust your instincts.
Showing day checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. This showing is set up to be calm, safe and fair.
For visitors: touring safely
- Tour the home in person, or send someone you trust, before you pay anything. Tell a friend where you’re going and when you expect to be done.
- Check that the person showing the home is connected to the owner or a real company. Scammers sometimes show homes they don’t own.
- Ask about rent, fees, utilities, rules and repairs, and write down the answers.
- Please don’t pay a deposit at a showing until you’ve confirmed who owns the home and seen a written lease.
- If anything feels wrong, leave. It is always okay to go.
If a showing feels unsafe
- Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, end the showing politely and leave right away.
- Head to a public place and contact someone you trust. If you feel threatened or are in danger, call 911.
- If you suspect a scam, stop all contact and don’t send money.
- Write down what happened, with names, times and details.
- Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and share any safety concern with the owner or company.
You did exactly the right thing.
Guides that go well with this one
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Showing
A kind, plain guide to rental showings that keep everyone safe, treat every visitor the same way, respect the people who live in the home now, and show the home honestly.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFTake it with you
- The Perfect Rental Owner Checklist WorkbookA fillable workbook with a screen version and an ink saver print version.See it in the shop
More guides
This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal advice. Bunklow does not screen visitors, check owners or conduct showings.