Most landlords don't accept credit cards directly, but you have workarounds
Your landlord almost certainly won't let you swipe a card at their office or enter it into a payment portal. Rental payments are typically made by check, bank transfer, or money order — methods that cost the landlord nothing. A credit card transaction costs them 2 to 3 percent of the payment, which they're not willing to absorb on a $1,500 rent check.
That said, you can pay rent with a credit card indirectly through a third-party service, a cash advance, or by using the card to fund a bank transfer. Each route has different costs, risks, and timing. The choice depends on whether you're trying to build credit, avoid overdraft fees, or just need a way to cover rent when your bank account is empty.
Key Takeaways
- Payment services like Plastiq and RadPad let you pay rent with a credit card, but they charge a fee — usually 2 to 3 percent of the rent amount.
- A credit card cash advance gets money into your bank account quickly but costs an upfront fee plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases.
- Using a credit card to pay rent does not help your credit score unless the payment service reports it to the credit bureaus, which most do not.
- Paying rent with a credit card should be occasional, not routine — the fees and interest add up fast and can cost more than late fees.
- If you're short on rent regularly, a credit card is a band-aid; look into payment plans with your landlord or local rental information programs instead.
How payment services let you use a credit card for rent
Companies like Plastiq, RadPad, and Bilt are built specifically to let tenants pay rent with a credit card. You enter your landlord's details, the rent amount, and your card information. The service then pays your landlord by check, bank transfer, or direct deposit — depending on what the service offers and what your landlord accepts.
The catch is the fee. Plastiq charges around 2.5 percent of the payment amount. RadPad charges 2.75 percent for credit card payments (but allows free bank transfer payments). Bilt is free if you use their card, but charges a fee for other cards. On a $1,500 rent payment, a 2.5 percent fee is $37.50 — money that comes out of your pocket on top of the rent itself.
These services do report some payment activity to credit bureaus, but not in a way that builds your credit score. They may report that you used their service, but rent payments themselves don't count toward credit history the way credit card purchases or loan payments do. If building credit is your goal, this is not the route.
Getting cash from your credit card to pay rent
A cash advance lets you withdraw money from your credit card's credit line at an ATM or bank. You then transfer that cash to your bank account and pay your landlord normally. This works when you need rent money fast and your bank account is empty.
The cost is steep. Most credit cards charge a cash advance fee of 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, plus an upfront charge of $5 to $10. Beyond that, cash advances carry a higher interest rate than regular purchases — often 25 to 30 percent, with no grace period. Interest starts accruing when ready, not at the end of the billing cycle. On a $1,500 cash advance at 4 percent fee plus 28 percent APR, you'll owe roughly $60 in fees and interest within the first month if you don't pay it back when ready.
Cash advances make sense only if you can pay the money back within a few weeks. If rent is tight every month, this will spiral quickly.
Using a credit card to fund a bank transfer
Some banks let you link a credit card as a funding source for transfers. You initiate a transfer from your bank account to your landlord, and the bank pulls the money from your credit card instead of your checking account. This is faster than a cash advance and sometimes cheaper, depending on your bank's rules.
Not all banks offer this, and the ones that do may charge a fee or treat it as a cash advance anyway. Call your bank and ask whether you can fund a transfer with a credit card and what the cost is. If they allow it without charging a cash advance fee, this is a reasonable option for a one-time emergency.
What happens to your credit score when you pay rent with a credit card
Paying rent with a credit card does not improve your credit score, even though you're using credit to make the payment. Credit scores are built on credit history — how you borrow money and pay it back. Rent is not a loan; it's a lease obligation. Your landlord doesn't report rent payments to credit bureaus, so whether you pay in cash, by check, or by credit card, it doesn't show up on your credit report.
The only way a credit card payment affects your score is if you carry a balance on the card afterward. If you pay rent with a credit card and then pay off the card when ready, there's no impact. If you pay rent with a credit card and carry a balance, your credit utilization goes up (the percentage of your credit limit you're using), which can lower your score slightly.
If you're trying to build credit, paying rent with a credit card is not an effective strategy. Secured credit cards, credit-builder loans, or becoming an authorized user on someone else's account are better options.
When paying rent with a credit card costs more than it's worth
The math is straightforward: if you're paying a 2.5 percent fee to use a payment service, plus interest if you carry a balance, you're spending real money just to move money around. On a $1,500 rent payment, that's $37.50 in fees alone — before any interest.
If you're doing this once because your paycheck was late, the fee might be worth the peace of mind. If you're doing this every month, you're adding $450 a year to your housing costs. That's money that could go toward saving for an emergency fund or paying down debt.
If rent is consistently tight, a credit card is not a solution. Look instead at asking your landlord for a payment plan, contacting a local housing authority about rental information programs, or finding a roommate to split costs. These address the actual problem — not enough income for rent — rather than just moving the money around.
Comparing your options side by side
| Method | Cost | Speed | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment service (Plastiq, RadPad) | 2 to 3 percent fee | 3 to 5 business days | One-time emergency; you have time to wait |
| Credit card cash advance | 3 to 5 percent fee plus 25–30% APR | Same day (ATM) | Emergency only; you can pay back within weeks |
| Bank transfer funded by credit card | Varies by bank; may be free or charge cash advance fee | 1 to 2 business days | If your bank allows it without a cash advance fee |
| Check, bank transfer, or money order | $0 to $2 | 1 to 5 business days | Normal rent payment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will paying rent with a credit card hurt my credit score?
Not directly. Rent payments don't report to credit bureaus, so your landlord won't know or care how you paid. Your score only takes a hit if you carry a balance on the card afterward, which increases your credit utilization. Pay off the card when ready and there's no impact.
Can I use a rewards credit card to earn points on rent?
Technically yes, if you use a payment service. However, the 2 to 3 percent fee usually wipes out the value of the rewards. If your card earns 2 percent cash back and you pay a 2.5 percent fee, you're breaking even or losing money. It only makes sense if your card earns 3 percent or more and the payment service charges less than 1 percent, which is rare.
What if my landlord won't accept a payment from a third-party service?
Some landlords refuse payments from services like Plastiq because they don't recognize the sender or worry about fraud. Ask your landlord in advance which payment methods they accept. If they only take checks or bank transfers, you'll need to use one of those methods or find a different way to fund them.
Is a cash advance better or worse than a payment service fee?
For a one-time payment, a payment service is usually cheaper. A $1,500 payment service fee is $37.50. A $1,500 cash advance fee is $45 to $75, plus interest starts when ready. But if you can pay back a cash advance within a week, the interest is minimal and it might be faster. Compare the total cost before you choose.
What should I do if I can't afford rent at all?
A credit card is not a solution to chronic housing insecurity. Contact your local housing authority, call 211 for referrals to rental information programs, or ask your landlord about a payment plan. Many areas have emergency funds specifically for people behind on rent, and they don't charge fees or interest.