
How to Add Your Settl Screening Link to a Zillow or Apartments.com Listing
The short answer
Step-by-step guide for landlords: how to add a Settl portable screening requirement to Zillow, Apartments.com, and Craigslist listings. Includes copy-paste listing language.
If you've decided to use Settl for tenant screening, the next step is making sure your rental listings communicate that clearly — so applicants arrive pre-verified and you're not chasing documents after the fact. Here's exactly how to add Settl to your listings on the most common platforms.
Step 1: Set Up Your Free Landlord Account
Before updating any listings, create your free account on the Settl landlord dashboard. This takes about two minutes and gives you:
- A unique landlord profile URL you can share with applicants
- A dashboard to view all submitted applicant reports in one place
- Notifications when applicants submit their Settl verification link
You don't need a credit card. The landlord dashboard is free — applicants pay for their own Settl Passport ($99).
Step 2: Write Your Listing Language
The goal is to communicate three things: (1) what you require, (2) where to get it, and (3) the legal basis in Colorado if applicable. Here are templates for different situations:
Standard Listing Language (All States)
Screening Requirement: All applicants must submit a current tenant screening report from Settl (settlhome.com) with their application. Settl verifies identity, income, employment, and background in a single portable report. Reports must be dated within 30 days of application. The cost is $99 and is paid by the applicant. No additional screening fee will be charged by the landlord.
Colorado-Specific Language (HB25-1236 Compliant)
Portable Tenant Screening Report (PTSR) Required: In compliance with Colorado HB25-1236, this property participates in Colorado's Portable Tenant Screening Report program. Applicants must provide a current PTSR from a compliant provider. We recommend Settl (settlhome.com) — a $99 one-time verification that meets PTSR requirements. No landlord screening fee is charged to applicants who provide a compliant PTSR.
Short Version (For Character-Limited Fields)
Settl PTSR required. Get yours at settlhome.com ($99, valid 30 days). No landlord screening fee for applicants with a current report.
Step 3: Adding to Zillow
Zillow has several places where screening language can appear:
- Property Description: The main listing description is the most visible place. Add the standard screening language near the "Application Process" section at the end of your description.
- Application Instructions field: If you use Zillow Rental Manager, there's a dedicated application instructions field — include the short version here with the settlhome.com link.
- Automated messages: Set up an auto-reply in Zillow Rental Manager that fires when someone inquires about the unit. Include your screening requirement and the link to Settl in that auto-reply. This way every inquirer gets the information immediately.
Step 4: Adding to Apartments.com
On Apartments.com (CoStar-managed):
- Log into your landlord account and navigate to your property listing
- Find the "Unit Description" or "Listing Details" section
- Add the Settl screening requirement at the end of your description, after your key selling points
- If you have an "Application Requirements" section, add a line there: "Settl PTSR required — settlhome.com"
Step 5: Adding to Craigslist
Craigslist is straightforward — add the requirement clearly in the body of your listing:
- Include it in a "To Apply" section near the bottom of your listing
- Use the short version to keep your listing scannable
- Include the full URL (https://settlhome.com/apply) since Craigslist sometimes strips hyperlinks
Example Craigslist footer:
TO APPLY: All applicants must have a current Settl tenant verification report (settlhome.com/apply, $99 one-time). Share your Settl link when you contact me. No separate background check fee.
Step 6: What to Say When Applicants Ask About It
Some applicants won't be familiar with Settl. Have a short explanation ready:
"Settl is a tenant verification service. Instead of me running a background check, you get your own report — identity, income, and background all verified. You pay once ($99) and can use the same report for any apartment you apply to within 30 days. It's faster and cheaper than the traditional process for most applicants who are actively searching."
What Happens Next
When applicants share their Settl verification link with you, you'll receive a notification in your landlord dashboard. Click the link to view their full verified report: identity confirmed, income verified, employment history, background check. No separate login, no waiting for results — it's already done.
Set up your free landlord account and streamline your entire screening process in about 15 minutes.
Settl Team
Settl Editorial
Settl helps renters stand out in competitive markets through verified identity, income, and rental verifications. Trusted by landlords across the US.
Ready to get your Settl Verified Passport?
Verified identity, income, and stability, all in one report landlords trust. Apply anywhere, pay once.
Get Settl Verified Passport →Related articles
What to Do When Your Tenant Doesn't Pay Rent: A Step-by-Step Landlord Guide
Late or missing rent is stressful — but how you respond in the first 72 hours matters enormously. Here's the right process from first missed payment to eviction filing.
Property Management Tips for Small Landlords (1–5 Units)
Managing 1–5 rental units on your own is doable — if you have the right systems. Here's how to handle tenant communication, maintenance, rent collection, and legal compliance without burning out.
Landlord Responsibilities: What You're Legally Required to Maintain
Every landlord has legal obligations around habitability, repairs, and tenant safety. Here's what the law requires — and what happens if you ignore it.
Professional Tenant Warning Signs: How to Spot Them Before They Move In
Professional tenants know the eviction process better than many landlords. Here are the red flags to watch for during screening — before you hand over keys.
Security Deposit Deductions: What Landlords Can and Cannot Charge
Deposit disputes are the most common landlord-tenant conflict. Here's what you can legally deduct, what you can't, and how to protect yourself in court.
How to Do a Move-In Inspection (With Checklist)
A thorough move-in inspection is your legal protection against deposit disputes. Here's how to do it right, what to document, and what forms to use.