Texting a renter from a business number takes two kinds of permission: a number registered with the carriers, and the right consent under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Here is what each one requires.

Why do you have to register a number before texting renters?

Because business texting from local numbers only works once the number is registered. Twilio says anyone sending texts over a 10-digit long code (10DLC) number from an application to the US must register for A2P 10DLC, and that carriers treat every message sent through Twilio, or any other messaging provider, as application-to-person (Twilio).

That includes replies. A renter who texts you first does not change how your answer is classified.

Registration has two parts. The brand tells carriers who is sending. The campaign describes what the number sends: the purpose of the messages, and how people opt in, opt out and get help (Twilio).

In this vocabulary, a campaign is a description of your messages, not a marketing push. If a leasing or CRM tool texts for you, expect it to register a brand in your business’s name: Twilio’s guide for software vendors tells them to register each customer’s brand with that customer’s own business details (Twilio ISV guide).

Twilio’s low-volume standard brand allows about 6,000 message segments a day across US carriers (Twilio). A sole proprietor brand is only for senders with no business tax ID such as an EIN. It allows one number, and the owner must answer a one-time code within 24 hours (Twilio sole proprietor guide).

What happens if you text from an unregistered number?

The texts are blocked, and you may still pay for them. Twilio says unregistered messages to US phones from +1 10DLC numbers have been blocked since September 1, 2023, and that its messaging rates still apply to blocked messages (Twilio changelog).

Each blocked text fails with error 30034, which Twilio ties to a number that is not linked to an approved campaign (Twilio error 30034). Telnyx gives its own date: its FAQ says that from February 3, 2025, any unregistered 10DLC traffic is blocked altogether (Telnyx).

How long does registration take, and what does it cost?

Twilio estimates campaign approval at under one week, and the fees run a few dollars a month. Twilio also says there is no exact timeline, because carriers, Twilio and outside vetting partners all have to approve (Twilio 10DLC).

Twilio’s brand registration page, updated in September 2026, lists a one-time $4.50 fee to register a brand, plus a one-time $41.50 vetting fee for a standard brand (Twilio brand fees). Its 10DLC page lists a one-time $15 vetting fee per campaign and $1.50 to $10 per campaign per month, or $2 a month for a sole proprietor (Twilio 10DLC).

Telnyx’s fee page lists the same $4.50 brand fee and $15 campaign review, with $1.50 a month for a low-volume mixed campaign or $10 for a standard one, all passed through at cost (Telnyx fees). Telnyx warns that resubmitting a campaign rejected by external vetting can cost more (Telnyx).

For a hypothetical brand with one low-volume mixed campaign, the first year of registration comes to $4.50 + $15 + (12 × $1.50) = $37.50 at Telnyx’s listed rates. Texts cost extra: Twilio lists $0.0083 per 160-character segment sent or received, plus carrier fees (Twilio pricing).

Can you text back a renter who texted you first?

Yes, with what they asked for. In a 2015 ruling, the FCC found that a one-time text sent right after a consumer’s request does not violate the TCPA if the consumer asked for it, it goes out immediately, and it holds only the requested information with no other marketing (FCC 15-72, para. 106).

The FCC gives texts the same TCPA protections as voice calls (FCC 15-72, para. 107). The ruling describes a single reply, so keep each answer to what the renter asked about: the unit, the rent, a viewing time.

Consent for reminders, and written consent for marketing. The FCC’s rules require the called person’s prior express consent for autodialed calls and texts to a cell phone, and prior express written consent when the message advertises or is telemarketing (47 CFR 64.1200(a)).

For a reminder about a showing the renter booked, ask at booking whether you may text that number, and keep a record. Telemarketing covers messages meant to encourage the rental of property, so an autodialed text about a price drop or a different unit needs written consent first (47 CFR 64.1200(f)).

Written consent means an agreement signed by the renter, electronic signatures included, that authorizes marketing messages to a stated phone number and says clearly that signing is not a condition of any purchase (47 CFR 64.1200(f)(9)). Marketing texts also have quiet hours: no telephone solicitation before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in the renter’s local time, a rule the FCC applies to texts sent to cell phones (47 CFR 64.1200(c) and (e)).

How fast must you honor STOP?

Within 10 business days at most. Under rules the FCC adopted in February 2024, a renter may revoke consent in any reasonable way, and a reply of stop, quit, end, revoke, opt out, cancel or unsubscribe always counts (FCC 24-24).

Other wording counts too if a reasonable person would read it as a request to stop. You must honor the request within a reasonable time, no more than 10 business days, and you may send one confirmation text with no marketing, presumed fine if it goes out within five minutes (47 CFR 64.1200(a)(10) and (12)).

Your provider can catch the standard words. Twilio handles STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, END, QUIT, STOPALL, REVOKE, OPTOUT and CANCEL by default and blocks later texts to that number with error 21610 (Twilio). A renter who asks in plain words to stop still needs a person or a rule that catches it.

The rules at a glance

Situation What you need Source
Texting renters from a local number A registered brand and campaign; unregistered texts are blocked Twilio; Telnyx
One reply to a renter who texted first Only what they asked, sent right away, no marketing FCC 15-72, para. 106
Showing reminders sent with an autodialer The renter’s prior express consent 47 CFR 64.1200(a)(1)
Autodialed texts about price drops or other units Prior express written consent, signed 47 CFR 64.1200(a)(2), (f)(9)
Marketing texts to cell phones Only from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., renter’s local time 47 CFR 64.1200(c)(1), (e)
Renter replies STOP or similar Stop within 10 business days; one confirmation text, no marketing FCC 24-24; 47 CFR 64.1200(a)(10), (12)