Honestly, the way people talk about the The Sims 4 For Rent expansion pack usually falls into two camps. You’ve got the builders who think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread because they can finally make townhomes that actually work. Then you have the legacy players who are absolutely terrified it’s going to melt their 10-generation save file.
Both are kinda right.
This pack is a weird beast. It’s not like Get Famous where the goal is just "become a star." It’s a structural overhaul. It changes how the game handles space. Basically, it lets you turn one lot into six separate units. You want a basement suite for a grumpy teen? Done. A trailer park in Oasis Springs? Easy. But there is a lot of nuance—and a fair amount of "Sims jank"—that most guides just gloss over.
Why Residential Rentals are a total game-changer
Before this pack, if you wanted a multi-family lot, you had to use the roommate system from Discover University. It was... messy. Roommates would bake 40 white cakes, leave them on the floor, and then complain about the smell. The Sims 4 For Rent actually gives you walls. Real, legally distinct walls.
The "Residential Rental" lot type is the core here. You aren’t restricted to the new world of Tomarang. You can go into Willow Creek, find a massive lot, and turn it into a 6-unit apartment complex. If you're feeling adventurous (and your PC can handle it), you can even use cheats to bypass that 6-unit cap, though I wouldn't recommend it if you value your frame rate.
What’s cool is that each unit is its own "home." One unit can have the "Mold" lot challenge while the one right next door is a five-star luxury suite. It allows for a level of storytelling that just wasn't possible before. You can have a rich landlord living in a penthouse while their struggling tenants live in the "coffin rooms" downstairs.
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The landlord life is harder than it looks
Being a property owner in this game isn't just about sitting back and watching the Simoleons roll in. It’s actually kind of a headache. You’ve got to manage "Unit Ratings." This rating is based on stuff like size, amenities, and how quickly you fix things.
If you’re a cheapskate, your tenants will revolt. Literally. They’ll stand outside with signs and refuse to pay rent.
The maintenance nightmare
Things break. A lot. The water heater will explode. The fuse box will spark. Sometimes, you’ll get a "Mould Infestation." This isn't just a visual thing; it can actually kill your Sims. There’s a specific "Mould-Be-Gone" item you have to use, or you can just have your Sim scrub it away if they’re brave enough.
Expert tip: If you're playing as a landlord, level up your Handiness skill immediately. Paying for the "expensive contractor" every time a toilet leaks will eat your profits faster than a hungry werewolf.
Tomarang: More than just a pretty face?
The new world, Tomarang, is stunning. It’s heavily inspired by Southeast Asia—think night markets, spirit houses, and a lot of lush greenery. The build/buy items are some of the best we’ve seen in years. The wood textures, the vibrant patterns, and those new "squat toilets" add a layer of realism that's been missing.
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But there’s a catch.
A lot of the "cool" spots are rabbit holes. The Tiger Sanctuary? Rabbit hole. The Fish Market? Rabbit hole. Even the big temple is mostly just a place your Sim disappears into for a few hours. It feels a bit hollow if you were expecting a fully interactive world like Henford-on-Bagley.
However, the Night Market is a vibe. It’s the best place to get the new food recipes like Malaysian Satay or Vietnamese Crepes. If you have the Home Chef Hustle stuff pack, you can even set up your own food stall there and sell your own creations.
The "Save File Corruption" elephant in the room
We have to talk about the bugs. Honestly, this pack launched in a rough state. There were reports of lots disappearing and save files becoming "bloated" because the game was generating too much "hidden clutter" every time a unit was edited.
As of 2026, many of the game-breaking issues have been patched, but it’s still a "heavy" pack. If you are building a massive 6-unit complex with tons of clutter, the game will slow down.
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How to avoid the lag
- Build as a regular house first: Do all your walls, flooring, and furniture while the lot is set to "Residential." Only switch it to "Residential Rental" and assign the units once you’re 90% done. This stops the game from constantly recalculating rent and unit values every time you move a chair.
- Keep shared spaces simple: Sims are still Sims. If you put a bunch of high-use items like computers or coffee makers in the shared hallway, they will congregate there and cause a routing nightmare.
- Watch the money: There’s a known bug where if you live in a rental and own a separate retail business, transferring funds can get glitchy. A workaround is to buy expensive items (like the "Virtuoso" violin) and put them in your household inventory to move value around.
Is it actually worth it?
If you like the "management" side of the game, yeah. It’s deep. If you’re a builder, it’s essential. The ability to create "accessory dwelling units" (like a granny flat in the backyard) is something we’ve wanted for a decade.
But if you just want a new world to explore, you might find Tomarang a bit thin. The real value is in the system it adds to every world.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’ve just grabbed the pack or are thinking about it, here is how to get started without losing your mind:
- Start Small: Don't build a 6-unit apartment right away. Try making a "Duplex" first. Live on one side and rent out the other. It’s way easier to manage.
- Check Your Mods: This pack breaks almost everything. If you use MCCC or UI Cheats Extension, make sure they are the latest versions before you even touch a rental lot.
- Set Fair Rules: When you're setting up the "Tenant Agreement," don't go overboard with rules like "No Socializing" or "No Loud Noises" unless you want to spend all your time issuing fines and dealing with angry neighbors.
- Explore the "Snooping" Trait: Give one of your Sims the "Nosy" trait. It unlocks the ability to break into neighbors' units to find secrets. You can then use those secrets to blackmail them for Simoleons. It’s a great way to make some extra cash on the side.
- Use the Pressure Cooker: It’s one of the few functional objects that actually feels new. The recipes it unlocks are great for the new "Potluck" event type.
The pack isn't perfect, but it’s probably the most "ambitious" thing they’ve done with the engine in a long time. Just keep an eye on those water heaters.