Finding a Rental Home in Central Florida
Finding a rental home in Central Florida can be challenging. If that’s your situation, you’re not alone — and you’re not imagining it. The process can be tricky, especially for families relocating or in transition. High demand, low supply, and limited professional support make it a tough market.
🔍 Why Finding a Rental Home Isn’t Easy
Most REALTORS® focus on helping people buy and sell homes — not rentals. Why? Because landlords and tenants rarely offer compensation for an agent’s time or expertise. That leaves renters mostly on their own finding a rental home, navigating listings and landlords without much help.
At Jean Scott Homes, we don’t handle rental transactions or property management. But we want to help where we can. For rental-specific support, we recommend Jen Tribou at Citrus Property Management — call her at 407-443-5850.
This guide was created to point you in the right direction and help you avoid common pitfalls while finding your next home.
🏠 Where to Search When Finding a Rental Home
Here are some of the most effective ways to find rental homes in Central Florida:
- Realtor.com – Pulls directly from the MLS with accurate listings and agent contact info.
- HotPads – A user-friendly site with updated listings for both apartments and homes.
- Drive neighborhoods – Some owners only advertise by placing a “For Rent” sign in the yard.
- Google it – A quick Google search can help uncover listings not on major platforms. Be sure to verify anything listed by a brokerage via Realtor.com.
🚨 Watch Out for Rental Scams
Watch Out for Rental Scams!
Unfortunately, rental scams are common — especially on platforms like Craigslist. Some listings are fake, and scammers collect deposits for homes they don’t own. Protect yourself when finding a rental home by:
- 🏡 Always viewing the home in person first.
- 🪪 Asking for photo ID and confirming credentials.
- 💰 Never wiring money or paying upfront before verifying everything.
🤔 Renting vs. Buying
Renting offers flexibility, but buying brings long-term benefits like equity, tax savings, and stability. If you’re planning to stay in Central Florida for a few years, it might be worth considering homeownership.
A buyer’s agent can guide you through the process, explain financing, and negotiate on your behalf — all at no cost to you.
📘 Legal Info When Finding a Rental Home
Florida law outlines rights and responsibilities for both tenants and landlords. Review the Florida Landlord Tenant Law Summary to understand what to expect when renting.
📞 Ready to Explore Buying Instead?
If your efforts finding a rental home aren’t going well, it might be time to look into buying. No pressure — just good information and guidance.
Call or text us at 407-564-2758 or fill out our contact form. We’re here to help you make the best move for your family.