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Using a credit card to pay rent

Kevin Joey Chen
Kevin Joey Chen

Updated

Fact checked

It’s that time again — your rent payment is due. But this feels like the millionth check you’ve had to write. Is there any way to pay rent with a credit card instead?

The answer is yes. And paying by card can be much more convenient than sending a check to your landlord. However, it’ll probably come with extra fees.

What's in this guide?

  1. You can use a credit card — but it could cost you
  2. How to pay rent with a credit card
  3. Why you should — and shouldn’t — pay rent with a credit card
  4. Compare rewards credit cards
  5. Frequently asked questions

You can use a credit card — but it could cost you

Paying rent by check has one big advantage. Yes, you might have to walk it over to your building’s office or mail it to your landlord, but you won’t have to pay any big fees.

Using a credit card to pay rent will cost you extra. If your landlord accepts credit cards, banks typically charge them a 2% to 3% fee for each transaction, which they’ll likely pass on to you.

So if your rent is $1,000 and you pay with a credit card, you could pay a fee of $30.

How to pay rent with a credit card

First, ask your landlord if they accept credit cards for rent payments. Most landlords won’t let you pay rent with plastic — they’ll insist on checks or direct deposits. If you’re lucky, they’ll take cards without adding a surcharge.

If your landlord doesn’t take credit cards, you still have options. You can use your credit card with an online rent-pay service, which collects your payment and mails a check to your landlord on your behalf.

Though your credit card payment to the rent-pay service is instant, it generally takes two to seven days for your landlord to receive the actual check.

Here are a few popular rent-pay services out there.

Service Credit card fee Credit cards accepted
Plastiq 2.5% Mastercard, Discover, Amex
Radpad 2.99% Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex
Rentshare 2.99% Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex
RentMoola 2.99% Visa, Mastercard, Amex
TIO Varies — typically around 2.8% Visa, Mastercard, Discover
Venmo 3% Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express

How to pay your landlord through a rent-pay service

  1. Sign up for an account on the rent-pay service of your choice.
  2. Initiate a new payment.
  3. Add your landlord’s name and address.
  4. Add your payment info and submit your payment.

Why you should — and shouldn’t — pay rent with a credit card

For most people, paying rent with a credit card is a losing proposition. Weigh the pros and cons to decide for yourself.

Consider paying rent via credit card if:

  • You’re trying to meet your credit card’s minimum spend for a signup bonus. Many signup bonuses require you to spend a minimum of thousands of dollars. Since rent is a significant expense that you have to pay anyway, using a card can get you closer to meeting that minimum. Just make sure that your card’s fees don’t eat up what you’ll earn in cash back, points or miles.
  • It’s extremely inconvenient to pay with methods currently available. Maybe your landlord accepts mailed checks only, and the closest post office is several miles away. Or you’re traveling abroad. Paying your rent with a credit card might make sense if it’s much more convenient — even if you have to pay a fee.
  • Your credit card offers rewards that outweigh your fees. If the rewards you earn from using your credit card to pay rent are greater than the fee charged by your landlord, then this could be a good option for you.

Avoid paying rent via credit card if …

  • You’re just trying to kick the can down the road. You can defer your rent payment by putting it on your credit card. But next month, the same payment will be due like clockwork. If you’re having trouble paying your rent, contact your landlord: They may be willing to work with you to make rent payments more manageable.
  • It’s not much more convenient than paying through existing methods. On a rent payment of a few hundred or thousand dollars, a 3% fee can hurt making regularly payments by credit card an expensive option.
  • You’re keeping an eye on your credit score. Putting a big charge on your credit card will raise your credit utilization ratio, which could put a dent in your credit score. If you’re looking to open a line of credit soon — such as a mortgage, car loan or another credit card — it may be wise to avoid taking on more debt right now.
  • You’ll have trouble keeping up with credit card payments. It’s rarely a good idea to rack up a lot of debt on your credit card without paying it off quickly. If you plan on paying only the minimum toward your balance each month, consider passing on a credit card rent payment. You stand to quickly accumulate interest that will balloon your debt.

Using a credit card to pay taxes

Compare rewards credit cards

If you’re going to pay rent with a credit card, make sure you use the strongest rewards card to offset any potential fees and maybe even earn something on top.

Name Product Welcome offer Rewards Annual fee Filter values
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
$300 after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months (Offer expires 12/10/2020)
6% on select US streaming services, 3% on transit and US gas stations, 6% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 annually, then 1% after that and on all other purchases
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)
Perfect for families: Get up to 6% on everyday purchases and a welcome offer worth $300. This heavy-hitter rewards card has uncontested value. Rates & fees
Apply now
View details
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
20% at Amazon.com up to $200 back in the first 6 months, plus $100 after spending $1,000 in the same timeframe
20% at Amazon.com up to $200 back in the first 6 months, 2% at US gas stations and select US department stores, 3% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that and on all other purchases
$0
This everyday cashback card is ideal for Black Friday and holiday shopping with 20% back at Amazon.com up to $200 back in the first 6 months. Rates & fees
Apply now
View details
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Chase Freedom Flex℠
$200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores on up to $12,000 in the first year
5% back in rotating categories up to $1,500 combined each activated quarter (then 1%), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases
$0
Get up to 5% cashback in rotating and newly added everyday categories. The refreshed Freedom Flex card has lots of earning potential.
Apply now
View details
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, a value of up to $750 through Chase Ultimate Rewards
5x points on Lyft, 2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases
$95
Earn a signup bonus worth $750 with this popular travel card. Combine with other Chase Ultimate Rewards cards for even greater value.
Apply now
View details
Citi® Double Cash Card
Citi® Double Cash Card
N/A
Up to 2% cash back on purchases (1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay)
$0
Earn up to 2% on every purchase with no annual fee. This is the highest flat-rate cashback card on the market.
Apply now
View details
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