Why This Service Is Free for Renters
Because under Texas rental-market practices, many apartment communities pay licensed locators or agents a “tenant placement fee” or referral fee when a renter leases a unit thanks to a locator’s referral.
That means you get a professional search, guidance, and support — at no cost to you.
We simply get paid by the property (out of their marketing or leasing budget), so your rent rate is not affected by using our service.
When & How We Share a Portion of the Commission With You
Because we do not charge you — and are compensated by the property — many locators offer a rebate, rent credit, or move-in incentive. Here’s how that typically works:
After you lease and move in, we receive a referral/locator fee from the property.
From that fee, we may pass on a portion to you in the form of a cash rebate, rent credit, or other move-in incentives (gift cards, free rent specials, etc.).
For example: some services guarantee a rebate equal to 10% of the locator fee, up to a maximum (e.g., $250) — though there is often a minimum rebate amount (commonly around $50).
To qualify, you must list us properly as the referral source on your guest card and application. If you forget to indicate us, the property may not pay our fee — and so no rebate is issued.
In some cases, clients simply receive a “thank you” gift or small incentive for using the service, rather than a full rebate — this depends on the deal and property compensation.
We believe in transparency and fairness: we’ll always show you proof of what the property pays us, and exactly how much of that we’re returning to you (or offering as credit/gift). That way, you can rest assured there are no hidden fees or surprises.
What To Know & What’s Up to You
Because apartment communities choose which locating companies they work with, not every complex partners with a locator — so we can only refer you to apartments that have agreed to pay a referral/locator fee.
You are never required to sign a lease. Our service is optional, and you’re free to apply to any property directly if you choose.
The rebate or credit offer depends on the property — some offer more generous incentives, others less (or none). The final amount is based on the fee the property pays us.
Always double-check your application/guest card to ensure FreeLocating.com is listed as the referral—if it isn’t, that typically disqualifies the rebate.
Bottom Line
Using a professional apartment locator like FreeLocating.com gives renters access to local market expertise, exclusive listings, and often cash rebates or move-in incentives — with zero cost and zero risk.
We handle the heavy lifting: research, scheduling, paperwork, and advocacy — you get a curated list of apartments, guidance through the leasing process, and potentially a rebate for letting us help.
Let us get started whenever you’re ready. Just fill out our quick info form, and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours with available options tailored to you.