The best sites and apps for booking home rentals

16 July 2025 Blog
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How to use sites and apps to find homes for rent online

There are those who seek a home for a work project away from home, those for a master’s degree, those for a break from routine in another city. And then there are them, the modern travelers: those who instead of a hotel room prefer an apartment, with kitchen, space, privacy.

If you recognize yourself in any of these profiles, then you need to know about the world of short- and medium-term rentals, and most importantly, you need to know which sites or apps to use to find home rentals easily and safely.

Woman with curly hair smiling while using yellow smartphone sitting on the sofa with a laptop computer in a bright room with green plants in the background.

Because today everything is booked online (even the house)

Whether for a vacation, a temporary relocation or a business trip, booking an apartment online has become the norm today. The reasons are clear:

  • It is fast, convenient and you do everything from home.
  • See photos, services, location, and prices in a few clicks.
  • You don’t have to make a thousand phone calls.
  • You can choose from many listings of vacation homes, studios, rooms, or entire apartments.

And if you use the right sites, the user experience is really nice: intuitive filters, maps, reviews, secure payments.

But what are the best sites and apps?

Best sites and apps to find houses for rent

Let’s start here: if you want to make a secure online booking, choose reliable and recognized portals. Here are the best ones for short- and medium-term rentals:

Airbnb

Airbnb is pretty much the first site that comes to mind when you want to rent a house for a few days or weeks. It’s chock-full of listings-from minimal studio apartments to crazy villas with pools. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a vacation home, a weekend getaway, or temporary accommodation while you settle in elsewhere.

What do you like the most?

  • Beautiful and easy-to-use interface
  • Lots of reviews (often detailed)
  • The reservation system is very clear

What can be troublesome?

  • Commissions are sometimes really high
  • Some ads are run by agencies, not individuals, and it all seems a bit cold
  • Prices rise with cleaning, taxes, etc., and in the end you pay more than you thought you would
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Person using a touchscreen tablet with a pen to navigate a digital map and view property listings or details

Booking

Booking is the kingdom of hotels, it is true. But for the past few years it has also had lots of apartments, vacation rentals, and short-term rentals. If you’re used to using Booking for travel, you might do just fine here, too.

What works well?

  • It is super reliable, zero scams
  • Great customer service, they always respond
  • You can often cancel for free until just before

What’s not to like?

  • House listings are not always as detailed as on Airbnb
  • Less “experiential”: it is colder, more business traveler-like
  • Sometimes there are unnoticeable extra costs (like security deposit or cleaning)

HousingAnywhere

HousingAnywhere is perfect if you are going to live in another city for a few months: an internship, a project, a college exchange. Listings are often placed by local students or landlords.

What is convenient?

  • It has many offers in university cities in Europe
  • The process is fast, all online
  • Perfect for those seeking average rentals of 1 to 6 months

What to watch out for?

  • Again, you pay before entering, without a visit
  • If the place is not what you expected, solving the problem can be a bit complicated

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A curly-haired woman hands a set of keys to a girl carrying a backpack in a room with modern furnishings in a cozy

How to tell if an ad is trustworthy or a potential scam

Unfortunately, scams in online rentals do exist. But with a little attention, they can be avoided. Here are the signs to watch out for:

  • Price too low for the area: if you find a super penthouse in Milan for €400, something is probably wrong.
  • Deposit request via direct transfer: never pay off-platform. Always use tools with user protection.
  • Ad without real photos or with images that are too perfect: often taken from other sites. Do reverse search on Google Images to check.
  • Communication too hasty or in English, even if the ad is in Italian: a typical sign of fake profiles.

Searching for rental homes online safely: step-by-step

When looking for a house to rent online, especially for short or medium periods, it is important to follow a clear method to avoid mistakes or, worse, rip-offs.

What do you really need? Start with your needs

The 1st thing you need to do is to define how long you need the house for: whether you are looking for a short rental (a few days to a month) or a medium one (up to eighteen months), this will affect the type of platforms you will use and the conditions you will find.

Once you have clarified the period, it is crucial to choose the right site or agency. At that point, set your search filters well: select your maximum budget, preferred area, number of people, type of housing, and the amenities you need (such as wi-fi, air conditioning, equipped kitchen).

A happy couple sitting on the sofa at home using a laptop, with satisfied smiles, in a bright, modern setting with minimalist furnishings and large windows
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Don’t stop at photos: analyze each ad

When you start browsing ads, always read everything carefully-don‘t stop at the photos. Check the description, house rules, any extra charges (such as cleaning or security deposit), and cancellation policy. Every detail can make a difference.

Other users’ reviews are also a mine of information: if you notice recurring reports of poor cleanliness, problems with the owner, or delays in communication, best to move on.

Online booking: here’s how to do it safely

Finally, book only on secure platforms that handle payments transparently. Absolutely avoid sending transfers to personal private accounts (not in the company’s name) or moving the conversation to external emails or messages. Use only the site’s built-in booking system-it is there to protect you.

Image of two people exchanging keys to a house in a bright and welcoming environment, symbolizing a real estate transaction or moving house.

Experience is what really matters

All the platforms and apps we have mentioned-from Airbnb to Booking to HousingAnywhere-are good tools with distinct strengths. They allow you to search for homes conveniently and quickly, and they offer an increasingly curated user experience. But there’s one thing none of them really guarantees you: a person who listens and follows up with you, even after you book.

And this is where we make the difference: our agency not only has an intuitive site and secure online reservations, but it has human service behind it, present but above all local. If you need clarification, support, advice about the area, or if you simply want to make sure someone is really there, Travel Inside is the right choice.

Whether you are coming to Milan for work, study or a break from your routine, with us you can experience the city authentically: with carefully chosen spaces, lived-in neighborhoods, concrete advice. It’s not just an apartment: it’s your way to feel immediately at home, even away from home.

If you are looking for a short- or medium-term rental, want simplicity, reliability, and maybe even a little extra humanity, Travel Inside is the right place to start.

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