History of the TLD

.rent is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) that was delegated to the DNS Root Zone in 2015 as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program. It was created to serve the global rental and leasing sector, providing a keyword-rich namespace for businesses and individuals involved in renting goods, services, and property. The domain entered general availability in late 2015 following sunrise and launch phases.

Main Use and Industry Position

.rent is positioned as a sector-focused TLD for the rental industry. It is used by property rental companies, vehicle rental services, equipment and furniture rental businesses, vacation rental platforms, individual landlords, and other rental service providers. The extension signals rental intent directly in the domain name, making it meaningful for marketing and branding in the rental economy.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to general TLDs such as .com or .net, .rent provides specific industry relevance for rental-focused services, helping users immediately understand the purpose of the website. Against broader real estate or business TLDs such as .realestate or .business, .rent stands out due to its clear association with rental activities. However, more generic extensions may have wider recognition outside rental contexts.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Clearly signals rental purpose in the domain name

• Applicable to a broad range of rental verticals including property, vehicles, equipment, and services

• Open registration encourages widespread adoption

Cons

• Less familiar to general internet users than legacy TLDs like .com

• Narrow industry focus may limit broader brand flexibility

• Some registrars may price domains at a premium compared to common extensions
  
  

Registration Criteria

.rent operates as an open registry with no strict eligibility restrictions. Any individual or business involved in rental services or seeking a rental-related domain name may register under .rent without industry-specific documentation requirements.

Summary

.rent is an active generic top-level domain launched in 2015 to serve the rental market. It provides a descriptive, industry-aligned namespace for rental and leasing businesses, property managers, and service providers, among others. The open registration policy allows wide use across multiple rental sectors, supporting clear branding and purpose in domain names.