Review Guidelines

Our goal is to help tenants make informed housing decisions. To maintain a trustworthy platform, please follow these guidelines when submitting reviews.

Do Include

  • Your honest experience - Share what it was actually like living there
  • Specific details - Mention concrete issues like response times, repair quality, or building conditions
  • Both positives and negatives - A balanced review is more helpful and credible
  • Relevant timeframe - Conditions may have changed since you lived there
  • Factual information - Stick to things you personally experienced or witnessed

Do Not Include

  • Personal information - No names, phone numbers, or identifying details about landlords, staff, or neighbors
  • Profanity or threats - Keep language respectful even when describing negative experiences
  • Discriminatory content - No content targeting protected groups
  • False statements - Don't exaggerate or make up issues that didn't happen
  • Reviews for places you didn't live - Only review properties where you were an actual tenant
  • Promotional content - No advertising or spam

Review Moderation

All reviews are checked before being published. Reviews that violate these guidelines will be rejected. You'll receive an email if your review needs changes before it can be published.

Common reasons for rejection:

  • Contains names or personal information
  • Unable to verify tenancy
  • Appears to be fake or spam
  • Contains threats or harassment

Landlord Responses

Landlords and property managers can claim their properties and respond to reviews. Responses are also moderated and must follow the same guidelines about respectful language and no personal information.

Disputing a Review

If you believe a review is fake or violates our guidelines, please contact us at reviews@ratemyplace.org with the specific review and your concerns. We investigate all reports.

Why This Matters

Honest reviews help other tenants avoid bad situations and find good homes. They also help good landlords stand out. By following these guidelines, you're contributing to a more transparent rental market that benefits everyone.