Rent Before Owning is a subscription-based online service that provides access to listings and information related to rent-to-own, owner-financed, and other alternative homeownership properties in the United States.
Rent Before Owning is an online membership service that markets itself as a resource for people seeking alternative paths to homeownership, such as rent-to-own, lease-option, owner-financed, and other distressed or nontraditional property listings across the United States. Members gain access to a searchable database of properties and educational material about rent-to-own arrangements and similar options. The business is listed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as a rent-to-own real estate property search service and membership-access platform. ([bbb.org](https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/thousand-oaks/profile/rent-to-own-real-estate/rent-before-owning-1236-92011183?utm_source=openai))
This charge typically appears when someone signs up for a trial or paid membership through RentBeforeOwning.com. The company commonly advertises a low-cost trial (for example, around $1 for a short period) that automatically transitions into a recurring subscription (historically around $49–$50 per billing period) if not canceled within the trial window, according to its terms of use and multiple consumer reviews. ([rentbeforeowning.com](https://www.rentbeforeowning.com/terms-of-use.html?utm_source=openai)) In some consumer reports, people describe seeing repeated smaller charges (roughly in the $10–$15 range, sometimes weekly) rather than a single straightforward monthly fee, so patterns can vary depending on the specific offer or plan selected at signup. ([trustpilot.com](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.rentbeforeowning.com?utm_source=openai))
If you do not recognize this charge, first check any email accounts you use for housing or real estate searches for welcome emails or receipts from Rent Before Owning or RentBeforeOwning.com. You can attempt to cancel or inquire about the charge via the customer service phone numbers and contact form listed on their website and in the BBB profile; be prepared with your full name, email, and the last four digits of the card that was charged. ([rentbeforeowning.com](https://www.rentbeforeowning.com/terms-of-use.html?utm_source=openai)) If you cannot reach the company, or if you believe the charge is unauthorized or the service was misrepresented, contact your card issuer promptly to dispute the transaction and request that any ongoing billing be blocked. Keeping screenshots of the original offer and noting the dates and amounts of all charges will help you and your bank resolve the issue more effectively.
Bank Statement Variations
2 known variations
These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Rent Before Owning.
Why am I seeing a charge from RentBeforeOwning.com on my card?
You’re likely seeing this charge because someone used your card to sign up for a trial or paid membership on RentBeforeOwning.com, which offers access to rent-to-own and related property listings. Their terms state that after a low-cost trial (often around $1 for several days), the subscription renews automatically at a higher recurring fee unless it is canceled before the trial ends. ([rentbeforeowning.com](https://www.rentbeforeowning.com/terms-of-use.html?utm_source=openai))
How much does Rent Before Owning usually charge and how often?
According to the site’s terms and multiple user reports, common billing patterns include an initial trial charge of about $1 for a limited period, followed by a recurring membership fee historically around $49–$50 per billing period. Some customers also report being charged smaller amounts (roughly $10–$15) on a weekly basis instead of a single monthly charge, depending on the specific offer in effect when they enrolled. Always review the pricing details shown at checkout or in the terms you agreed to for the exact structure that applies to your account. ([rentbeforeowning.com](https://www.rentbeforeowning.com/terms-of-use.html?utm_source=openai))
How do I cancel my Rent Before Owning subscription?
Rent Before Owning states that you can cancel by contacting customer support via phone, email, or the online contact form on RentBeforeOwning.com. When you reach them, request immediate cancellation and ask for written confirmation (email) including a cancellation or reference number. Because many reviewers report difficulty reaching the company or completing cancellation, it’s a good idea to document the date, time, and method of every contact attempt and to monitor your card statements closely afterward. ([rentbeforeowning.com](https://www.rentbeforeowning.com/terms-of-use.html?utm_source=openai))
Can I get a refund from Rent Before Owning if I didn’t mean to subscribe?
The company’s terms describe refunds as limited and subject to review; in complaints and reviews, some consumers report partial refunds or store-credit-style offers (such as gift cards or coupon incentives) rather than full refunds, while others say their refund requests were denied. If you believe you were misled, did not intend to subscribe, or were unable to use the service, you can still request a refund directly from Rent Before Owning and ask for a written response. If that fails, contact your card issuer to dispute the charge, especially if you believe it was unauthorized. ([rentbeforeowning.com](https://www.rentbeforeowning.com/terms-of-use.html?utm_source=openai))
Is Rent Before Owning a legitimate company or a scam?
Rent Before Owning is a real business with a BBB profile and a long-running website dedicated to rent-to-own style listings, but it receives a very high volume of complaints and overwhelmingly negative consumer reviews citing misleading pricing, difficulty canceling, and questionable listing accuracy. ([bbb.org](https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/thousand-oaks/profile/rent-to-own-real-estate/rent-before-owning-1236-92011183?utm_source=openai)) Because of this, many consumers characterize it as a scam, even though it is an established entity. If you are unsure about a charge, treat it cautiously, verify all terms directly on the site, and do not hesitate to involve your bank if something seems off.
What types of charges or patterns from Rent Before Owning should I look for on my statement?
Users commonly report seeing an initial small test or trial charge (around $1) followed days later by a larger fee in the neighborhood of $49–$50, as well as, in some cases, repeated charges in the $10–$15 range posted weekly. ([rentbeforeowning.com](https://www.rentbeforeowning.com/terms-of-use.html?utm_source=openai)) On your statement, these may appear with descriptors referencing RENTBEFOREOWNING, RENT BEFORE OWNING, or RentBeforeOwning.com, sometimes followed by a phone number and state abbreviation. Any such pattern you do not recognize should be investigated promptly.
How can I verify whether I or someone in my household created a RentBeforeOwning account?
Start by searching all household email accounts (including spam folders) for messages from RentBeforeOwning.com, including welcome emails, trial confirmations, or billing notices. Then, try using the site’s login or password-reset function with your main email addresses to see if an account exists. If you reach customer service, you can ask them to confirm which name, email, and billing address are on file for the membership associated with your card; this can help determine whether a family member or an unauthorized third party initiated the subscription. ([rentbeforeowning.com](https://www.rentbeforeowning.com/contact-us.html?PID=SL_Contact-Us&XID=20141112&adid=RBO3110&cid=renttoown&utm_source=openai))
What should I do if I can’t reach Rent Before Owning to stop the charges?
If calls, emails, or the contact form do not result in a clear cancellation confirmation, notify your card issuer right away. Ask them to block further charges from RentBeforeOwning.com and to open a dispute for any transactions you believe are unauthorized or misrepresented. Provide your bank with dates, amounts, any emails or screenshots you have from the site, and a log of your attempts to contact the company. Many consumers reporting similar issues ultimately resolved them by working through their bank rather than directly with Rent Before Owning. ([trustpilot.com](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.rentbeforeowning.com?utm_source=openai))
This merchant is in the Financial Services category