Q: How do I create a Sunny account?

Creating an account is simple: visit sunny.com , enter your email address, and complete the signup flow. An account is required to save listings, schedule tours, and take full advantage of everything Sunny has to offer.

Question 1

What is Sunny?

Accepted Answer

Sunny is a rental marketplace that helps renters find their next apartment or home. Finding a home takes real time and effort — Sunny makes sure that work pays off, literally, by sharing a portion of its commission directly with you when you move in through the platform.

Question 2

Who owns Sunny? Is it related to Apartment List?

Accepted Answer

Sunny is a brand operated by Apartment List, Inc.

Question 3

How is Sunny different from Apartment List?

Accepted Answer

Apartment List is known for its personalized matching experience — connecting renters with properties that are genuinely right for them. Sunny builds on that foundation with a sharper focus on value: price drops, specials, and Cash Back are all designed to make sure renters are getting the best possible deal out of the renting process. If Apartment List is about finding the right home, Sunny is about making sure you get it on the best terms.

Question 4

Is Sunny available nationwide?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sunny is available nationwide, with listings across a wide range of markets and cities.

Question 5

How does Sunny make money?

Accepted Answer

Sunny earns a commission from property managers and landlords when a renter moves in through the platform. What makes Sunny different is that it shares a portion of that commission back with you. The property pays, you benefit.

Question 6

Do I pay anything to use Sunny?

Accepted Answer

No. Sunny is completely free to use for renters. There are no membership fees, subscription costs, or hidden charges. Creating an account, searching listings, and scheduling tours are all free.

Question 7

What types of rentals does Sunny list?

Accepted Answer

Sunny lists apartments, condos, townhomes, and other residential rentals across a wide range of markets. Listings span a variety of price points, sizes, and amenity levels — from budget-friendly studios to premium multi-bedroom units.

Question 8

Is my personal information safe with Sunny?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sunny follows industry-standard security practices for data protection. Your personal and payment information is handled securely. Sunny uses Venmo and Visa Gift Cards as payment options, all of which carry their own robust security standards.

Question 9

How do I create a Sunny account?

Accepted Answer

Creating an account is simple: visit sunny.com, enter your email address, and complete the signup flow. An account is required to save listings, schedule tours, and take full advantage of everything Sunny has to offer.

Question 10

Can I use Sunny on mobile?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sunny's site is fully mobile-responsive. You can search listings, save favorites, schedule tours, and manage your account from any smartphone or tablet browser.

Question 11

What is Sunny Cash Back?

Accepted Answer

Sunny Cash Back is a program that pays you real money — deposited directly to your Venmo or Visa Gift Card — after you move into a qualifying Sunny property. It's our way of sharing the commission we earn with the person who actually moved: you.

Question 12

Why does Sunny offer Cash Back?

Accepted Answer

We believe renters have been left out of the transaction for too long. Landlords and listing sites exchange fees while renters — who do a lot of the work — get nothing. Sunny changes that. Cash Back is our central promise: we earn when you lease, so should you.

Question 13

How much Cash Back can I earn?

Accepted Answer

Cash Back amounts vary by property based on a variety of factors. You'll see your Cash Back amount displayed on eligible listing pages before you tour or apply. Amounts typically range from $200 to $500 depending on the property.

Question 14

Is the Cash Back amount guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Cash Back amount shown on a listing page is guaranteed, contingent on verified move-in. Once your move-in is confirmed, your payout is locked in at the amount displayed.

Question 15

What does 'eligible listing' mean?

Accepted Answer

A listing is eligible for Cash Back when Sunny has designated it as part of the Cash Back program. Even among properties where Sunny has a relationship, Cash Back is selectively offered — so not every listing will have it. Eligible listings are clearly marked with a Cash Back badge in search results and on the property detail page.

Question 16

Can I see my Cash Back amount before I tour?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Eligible listings display your Cash Back amount on the property card in search results and on the full listing detail page. You can see exactly what you'd earn before committing to a tour or application.

Question 17

Does Cash Back affect my rent or move-in costs?

Accepted Answer

No. Your rent, security deposit, and other move-in costs are set entirely by the landlord or property manager. Sunny Cash Back is a separate payment from Sunny to you — it does not reduce your rent or replace any landlord-required payment.

Question 18

Can I use a property special and Cash Back when I sign my lease?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can get both. The special (or concession) is offered by the property, while Cash Back comes straight from Sunny — they’re completely separate, so stacking them is no problem.

Question 19

How do I receive my Cash Back?

Accepted Answer

Once Sunny verifies that you've moved in, you'll receive an alert letting you know your Cash Back is ready. From there, simply select your preferred payment method — Venmo or Visa Gift Card — and initiate your payment. It takes less than a minute.

Question 20

Can I get Cash Back if I found the property elsewhere?

Accepted Answer

No. Cash Back eligibility requires that you found and contacted the property through Sunny while logged in to your account. Retroactive move-ins are not eligible. You can visit your "My Cash Back" page at any time to see which of your properties are eligible.

Question 21

Can I earn Cash Back on a lease renewal?

Accepted Answer

Currently, the Cash Back program applies to new move-ins only, not renewals. We may expand the program to renewals in a future phase.

Question 22

Is there a limit to how many times I can earn Cash Back?

Accepted Answer

No. You can earn Cash Back each time you move into a new eligible property through Sunny. There is no lifetime cap on the number of payouts you can receive.

Question 23

Who is eligible for Sunny Cash Back?

Accepted Answer

Any renter who (1) has a Sunny account, (2) finds and contacts a Cash Back-eligible property through Sunny, and (3) moves into that property is eligible. You must be the primary leaseholder named on the lease.

Question 24

Do I need to be a new Sunny user to qualify?

Accepted Answer

No. Both new and existing Sunny users are eligible for Cash Back on qualifying move-ins.

Question 25

Do I need to schedule a tour through Sunny to qualify?

Accepted Answer

You need to contact the property through Sunny to establish eligibility. Scheduling a tour is one of the ways to do this. We encourage using Sunny for all communication with the property to ensure your move-in is properly tracked.

Question 26

I'm a co-signer on a lease. Am I eligible?

Accepted Answer

Cash Back is paid to the primary leaseholder on the Sunny account that initiated contact. Co-signers and guarantors who are not the primary account holder are not separately eligible for Cash Back.

Question 27

Can roommates each receive Cash Back for the same unit?

Accepted Answer

Only one Cash Back payment is issued per lease per unit. Roommates may choose to split the payment among themselves, but Sunny pays one leaseholder per qualified move-in.

Question 28

Are corporate or short-term leases eligible?

Accepted Answer

Currently, the Cash Back program is designed for standard residential leases (typically 6–12 months or longer). Short-term rentals, corporate housing arrangements, and month-to-month leases may not qualify. Eligibility will be clearly indicated on the listing.

Question 29

What if I contacted the property through a different channel?

Accepted Answer

Cash Back requires that your first contact with the property came through Sunny. If you reached out via a different platform, the move-in cannot be attributed to Sunny and you would not be eligible for Cash Back.

Question 30

What if I'm not a U.S. resident?

Accepted Answer

The Cash Back program is currently available to U.S. residents. Venmo accounts must be U.S.-based to receive payment. Visa Gift Cards are also available as an alternative.

Question 31

How do I receive my Cash Back?

Accepted Answer

After moving in, you'll receive an alert from Sunny letting you know you've earned Cash Back. Log in to your Sunny account, select your preferred payment method — Venmo or Visa Gift Card — and initiate your payment.

Question 32

When will I receive my Cash Back notification?

Accepted Answer

You'll be notified once Sunny verifies your move-in. Most move-ins are verified within 3–5 business days. Some are verified by the 10th of the following month. Stay logged in and we'll reach out as soon as it's confirmed.

Question 33

Is there a deadline to initiate payment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You must initiate your Cash Back payment within 60 days of your move-in date. We recommend doing so as soon as you receive your move-in verified notification.

Question 34

What documentation is needed for move-in verification?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, move-in verification is handled automatically through your Sunny account activity. If manual verification is required, you may be asked to upload the first and last page of your signed lease. We never ask for financial details or rent amount documentation.

Question 35

How long does move-in verification take?

Accepted Answer

Most move-ins are verified within 3–5 business days. Some are verified by the 10th of the following month. You'll receive an email or SMS notification once your move-in is verified and your Cash Back is ready.

Question 36

How long after I initiate payment will I receive it?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, payment is processed within minutes. Once you select your payment method and initiate, Venmo transfers typically arrive almost immediately. Visa Gift Cards may take slightly longer depending on delivery method.

Question 37

What happens once I initiate payment?

Accepted Answer

Once you select your payment option — Venmo or Visa Gift Card — and initiate, your Cash Back is on its way. In most cases you'll receive it within minutes.

Question 38

Can I change my payment method after initiating?

Accepted Answer

If your payment has not yet been processed, contact support@sunny.com to update your selection. Once a payment has been sent, it cannot be redirected.

Question 39

How is Cash Back paid?

Accepted Answer

Cash Back is paid via Venmo or Visa Gift Card. After your move-in is verified, simply select your preferred method and initiate your payment. Funds typically arrive within minutes.

Question 40

Why these payment options?

Accepted Answer

Venmo is fast, secure, and widely used among renters. Visa Gift Cards are available for those who prefer not to use it. We've designed the payout experience to be as quick and frictionless as possible.

Question 41

Will the payment show Sunny's name?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The payment notification will display "SunnyCashBack" or "Sunny" as the sender — so you'll know exactly what it's for. The payment originates from Apartment List, Inc. but is labelled as Sunny.

Question 42

How long after I initiate payment will I receive it?

Accepted Answer

Most payments are processed within minutes. Venmo transfers typically appear in your account almost immediately after you initiate. Visa Gift Cards may take slightly longer depending on delivery.

Question 43

What if I don't have a Venmo account?

Accepted Answer

No problem. You can choose a Visa Gift Card instead — no Venmo account required. If you'd like to use Venmo, it's free to sign up for at venmo.com.

Question 44

Is there a minimum payout threshold?

Accepted Answer

No minimum threshold applies — you receive the full Cash Back amount shown on your eligible listing.

Question 45

What happens if my payment fails?

Accepted Answer

If a payment fails, Sunny will notify you and give you an opportunity to correct your payment details or select a different method. Payments are not forfeited due to delivery failure.

Question 46

Can I receive my Cash Back before I move in?

Accepted Answer

No. Cash Back is contingent on move-in. Once you have moved in and your move-in is verified, you'll be notified and can initiate your payment.

Question 47

Is my Cash Back taxable?

Accepted Answer

Cash Back payments may be considered taxable income depending on your individual tax situation. Sunny recommends consulting a tax professional if you have questions about how Cash Back payments affect your taxes. Sunny is not a tax advisor.

Question 48

Will I receive a 1099 form?

Accepted Answer

Sunny follows applicable federal tax reporting requirements. Payments that meet or exceed the federal reporting threshold ($600 or more in aggregate from a single payer in a calendar year, per current IRS rules) may trigger a 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC form. Sunny issues 1099s under Apartment List, Inc.'s EIN when required.

Question 49

What information does Sunny collect for tax purposes?

Accepted Answer

If your total Cash Back payments in a calendar year may trigger a reporting obligation, Sunny may request your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to comply with IRS reporting rules. This information is handled securely and used solely for tax reporting.

Question 50

What if I receive Cash Back across multiple move-ins in the same year?

Accepted Answer

Payments are aggregated annually per taxpayer. If the total of all your Sunny Cash Back payments in a calendar year meets the IRS reporting threshold, a 1099 will be issued for the full year total.

Question 51

Does Sunny withhold taxes from my Cash Back payment?

Accepted Answer

Sunny does not withhold taxes from Cash Back payments. You are responsible for reporting any taxable income as required by law.

Question 52

I haven't heard back about my Cash Back. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

First, check your email and SMS (including spam) for any notification from Sunny. If it's been more than 10 business days since your move-in with no update, contact support@sunny.com with your Cash Back ID and we'll investigate.

Question 53

I moved into a property I found on Sunny but it's showing as not eligible for Cash Back. What happened?

Accepted Answer

Not all Sunny listings are Cash Back eligible. Eligibility is set at the property level, and even among properties where Sunny has a relationship, Cash Back is selectively offered. If the listing page did not display a Cash Back badge, the property was not eligible.

Question 54

I think my Cash Back amount is wrong. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

The Cash Back amount displayed on an eligible listing is what you'll receive — what you see is what you get. If you believe there's been an error, contact support@sunny.com with your Cash Back ID and we'll look into it.

Question 55

I'm having trouble logging in. Help?

Accepted Answer

Try logging in at sunny.com/auth/login. If you've forgotten your account details, contact support@sunny.com for help. We'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Question 56

How do I contact Sunny support?

Accepted Answer

Reach Sunny support at support@sunny.com. We aim to respond within 1–2 business days. Include your account email, property address, and Cash Back ID in your message to help us resolve your issue quickly.

Question 57

Can I report a property that is misrepresented on Sunny?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sunny takes listing accuracy seriously. If you believe a listing contains false or misleading information, please contact support@sunny.com with the listing address and a description of the issue. We'll investigate and take corrective action as needed.

Question 58

What's the quickest way to earn Cash Back?

Accepted Answer

Create a Sunny account → search for a Cash Back-eligible listing (look for the badge) → contact the property through Sunny → move in → receive your Cash Back notification → select Venmo or Visa Gift Card → get paid within minutes.

Question 59

Do I need to do anything special during my apartment search to qualify?

Accepted Answer

Yes. To be eligible for Cash Back, you need to contact the property through Sunny while logged in to your account. Browsing alone isn't enough — reaching out via Sunny is what establishes your eligibility. Once you do that and move in, you're on your way.

Question 60

Can I tell my friends about Sunny Cash Back?

Accepted Answer

Please do. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful ways Sunny grows, and every renter who earns Cash Back is proof that the system works. If you got paid, tell your friends — that's the whole idea.

Questions?
We've got answers.

The basics.

Getting paid to move in.

Eligibility.

Receiving your Cash Back.

Payments & payouts.

Taxes & reporting.

Troubleshooting & support.

Quick reference.

Still stuck?

It pays to rent

Questions?We've got answers.