RentSlam alternative: how Renthaven compares

RentSlam and Renthaven solve the same problem. Homes get many replies soon after they go online, so both services check rental sites for new listings, compare them to your search profile and alert you when one matches. Neither rents out homes itself. The listing lives on its original site.

RentSlam says it searches rental sites nationwide, with up to 4 search profiles and a radius filter measured from the city centre. It also says paid listing sites can be switched on per profile. Renthaven watches platforms such as Pararius, Kamernet, Direct Wonen and Kamer.nl, plus rental agencies' own websites.

The RentSlam column is based on RentSlam's own FAQ, pricing page and App Store listing. Check their site for the latest details.

• A free plan, no card. One search profile with email alerts, so you can see what turns up in your area before choosing Premium.
• Areas as precise as you like. Draw the exact streets on a map, pick neighbourhoods, set a radius around any point, or choose a travel time to work or study.
• Replies that stay yours. You reply yourself on the original listing, so you stay in control of every message. On Premium, saved templates fill in the address, so you only add a personal touch.
• Rental agencies' own websites. Renthaven watches makelaars' own sites next to the big platforms, because not every agency home appears on the big portals.
• Flexible billing. Premium renews every 1, 2 or 3 months, you can cancel anytime, and there's a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Premium also includes instant push notifications, unlimited search profiles, a search buddy who shares your access, and priority email support.

Renthaven fits renters who want to try alerts for free, who want to mark out an exact area such as a few streets or a commute time, and who want each reply to be their own. A good reply that mentions why you fit the home is easy to write once and reuse with a template.

RentSlam lists features such as Telegram alerts, blocking specific sources, Quick Apply on some portal forms and automatic replies for some sources. It also says it helps with a refund form if a makelaar charges you commission anyway. If those features suit how you search, its FAQ explains them.

1. 1Create a free Renthaven account and set up a search profile for the area you care about most.
2. 2Keep your RentSlam profiles active while you compare what each one sends.
3. 3Save a reply you're happy with, so you can respond quickly whichever alert comes in.
4. 4If you want instant push alerts and more profiles, upgrade to Renthaven Premium. Cancel any service you stop using from its own account.

Running two services means some homes reach you twice. Reply once, on the original listing, so the makelaar doesn't get duplicate messages.

Renthaven matches new listings from rental platforms and makelaars' own websites to your search profile and sends you an alert, so you can reply early on the original site. You decide what to send and when. Renthaven doesn't contact landlords for you and can't guarantee a viewing.

Use Renthaven in the iOS and Android apps or the web app, in English or Dutch. For questions, email support@renthaven.nl.