Most landlords do not accept credit cards directly, but you have workarounds
You can pay rent with a credit card in most cases, but not by handing it to your landlord. Landlords typically reject credit cards because the processing fees (usually 2 to 3 percent) cut into their income. Instead, you can use a third-party payment service that accepts credit cards on your behalf, transfer money from a credit card cash advance to your bank account, or use a payment app that lets you send funds from a card to your landlord's account.
Each route has a real cost. Payment services charge fees that range from 1.5 to 3 percent of the rent amount. Cash advances come with interest that starts accruing when ready — there is no grace period like you get with regular purchases. Payment apps may charge per transaction or take a percentage. Before you commit to any method, calculate what you will actually pay and compare it to other options, like asking your landlord for a payment plan or looking into rental information programs in your area.
Key Takeaways
- Third-party payment platforms like Plastiq and Venmo let you pay rent with a credit card, but they charge 1.5 to 3 percent in fees on top of your rent.
- Credit card cash advances let you withdraw money to pay rent directly, but interest starts when ready and typically runs 20 to 30 percent annually.
- Payment apps like PayPal and Square Cash can move credit card funds to your landlord, though fees and speed vary by app and account type.
- Your landlord may accept credit card payments through their own online portal or property management company, so ask before using a third party.
- Using a credit card to pay rent builds your credit history only if the payment service reports to credit bureaus — most do not.
Third-party payment services that accept credit cards
Plastiq is the most common platform for paying rent with a credit card. You enter your landlord's details, your card information, and the rent amount. Plastiq charges a flat 2.5 percent fee on the transaction, which you pay on top of the rent. So if your rent is $1,200, you pay $1,230. The service mails a check to your landlord or deposits funds directly if they have set up an account. Processing takes 1 to 3 business days.
Stripe Invoicing and Square Invoices let you create a payment link and send it to your landlord. If your landlord clicks the link and accepts card payments, you can pay that way. However, most individual landlords do not set this up, so this works better if you rent from a property management company that already uses these tools.
PayPal lets you send money to your landlord's email address if they have a PayPal account. Sending money to a friend costs nothing, but if your landlord does not have PayPal, you cannot use this method. Some landlords set up PayPal specifically to receive rent, so ask first.
The trade-off with all third-party services is the fee. A 2.5 percent charge on $1,200 rent is $30 per month, or $360 per year. Over a lease term, that adds up. Use these services only if you have a specific reason — building credit history, earning rewards on a card, or timing a payment to match your paycheck — and the benefit outweighs the cost.
Credit card cash advances and their true cost
A cash advance lets you withdraw money from your credit card at an ATM or bank. You then transfer that cash to your bank account and pay rent normally. This avoids the third-party fee, but it introduces a much larger cost: interest.
Cash advances charge interest when ready. There is no 21-day grace period like you get with regular credit card purchases. If you take out $1,200 at a 25 percent annual rate, you owe $25 in interest after one month. After three months, you owe $75. The interest compounds, so the longer you carry the balance, the more you pay.
Most credit cards also charge an upfront fee for cash advances — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn. So a $1,200 advance costs $36 to $60 just to get the money out, before any interest accrues. Combined with the interest rate, a cash advance is one of the most expensive ways to borrow money on a credit card.
Use a cash advance only if you are certain you can pay it back within one or two months. If you need the money for longer, the interest will exceed what you would pay with a third-party service.
Payment apps and digital wallets
Venmo lets you send money to anyone with a Venmo account for free if you use your bank account or debit card. If you use a credit card, Venmo charges 3 percent. Your landlord needs a Venmo account, which many individual landlords do not have. Venmo is faster than Plastiq — transfers usually land within 1 to 3 business days — but the fee is higher.
Square Cash (now called Cash App) works similarly. You can send money from a linked bank account for free, or from a credit card for 1.5 percent. Like Venmo, your landlord needs a Cash App account.
Google Pay and Apple Pay let you send money between accounts, but both require the recipient to have the same service set up. Most landlords do not use these platforms for rent collection.
The advantage of payment apps is speed and simplicity if both you and your landlord are already on the platform. The disadvantage is that your landlord probably is not, and the credit card fees are comparable to third-party services.
Whether paying rent with a credit card builds your credit
Paying rent with a credit card does not automatically build your credit history. Your credit score is based on payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, credit mix, and new credit inquiries. Rent payments do not appear on your credit report unless your landlord reports them to a credit bureau.
Most landlords do not report rent payments. Some property management companies do, especially larger ones, but you have to ask. If building credit is your goal, ask your landlord whether they report to the bureaus Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. If they do not, paying rent with a credit card does not help your score — you are just paying a fee for no credit benefit.
A few services like Rent Bureau and LevelCredit let you report your own rent payments to credit bureaus, but these are separate from the payment process itself. You still have to pay rent through your normal method, then report it separately to build credit.
When your landlord accepts credit cards directly
Some landlords and property management companies have their own online payment portals that accept credit cards. Before you use Plastiq or Venmo, ask your landlord or check your lease for payment instructions. Many larger property management firms use platforms like AppFolio, Buildium, or Rent Manager, which accept credit card payments directly.
If your landlord's portal accepts credit cards, use it. You avoid the third-party fee, and the payment goes straight to the right place. The only cost is the credit card processing fee the landlord pays, which they have already factored into accepting cards. You do not pay extra.
If your landlord does not have a portal, ask whether they would be willing to set one up or accept payment through a service like PayPal. Many landlords will do this if you explain it helps you pay on time.
Comparing the cost of each method
| Method | Cost per $1,200 rent | Speed | Landlord requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastiq | $30 (2.5%) | 1–3 business days | Mailing address or PayPal account |
| Venmo | $36 (3%) | 1–3 business days | Venmo account |
| Cash App | $18 (1.5%) | 1–3 business days | Cash App account |
| Cash advance (25% APR, 1 month) | $36–60 upfront + $25 interest | when ready | None |
| Landlord's payment portal | $0 | when ready or 1 day | Online account set up |
The cheapest option is always your landlord's own payment system if they have one. The next cheapest is Cash App at 1.5 percent. Plastiq and Venmo cost more but are reliable if your landlord does not have an account on a payment app. Cash advances are the most expensive unless you can pay them back within weeks.
Alternatives if credit card payments are too expensive
If the fees add up, consider other options. If you are short on cash, look into rental information programs in your city or county — many offer grants that do not require repayment. If you need time, ask your landlord for a payment plan. Many will accept partial payments spread over two weeks rather than the full amount on the first of the month.
If you are using a credit card because you do not have enough in your bank account, that is a sign to build an emergency fund. Even $500 set aside can prevent the need to pay fees or interest on rent. Start by setting aside what you can each paycheck, even $25 or $50, until you have one month of rent saved.
If you are considering a cash advance, pause and explore whether a personal loan from a credit union or bank would be cheaper. Credit union loans often have lower rates than credit card cash advances, and you have a fixed repayment schedule instead of open-ended interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a rewards credit card to pay rent and earn points?
Yes, if you use a third-party service like Plastiq. You earn rewards on the full rent amount, but the fee (usually 2.5 percent) often exceeds the value of the points. If your card earns 2 percent cash back, you earn $24 on $1,200 rent but pay $30 in fees — a net loss of $6. Calculate the reward value before you commit.
Will paying rent with a credit card hurt my credit score?
It can, if it raises your credit utilization. If you have a $5,000 limit and charge $1,200 in rent, your utilization jumps to 24 percent. High utilization temporarily lowers your score. Pay it off when ready to minimize the impact. If you are already carrying a balance, adding rent to your card makes it worse.
What if my landlord refuses to accept the payment from a third-party service?
Some landlords will not accept checks from Plastiq or payments from unfamiliar services. Before you use any service, tell your landlord you plan to pay that way and ask whether they accept it. If they refuse, use a different method or ask whether they have their own payment portal.
Is it ever a good idea to use a cash advance for rent?
Only if you can pay it back within one or two months and have no other option. The upfront fee plus interest makes it expensive fast. If you are considering a cash advance, first ask your landlord for a payment plan, check whether rental information is available in your area, or explore a personal loan from a credit union.
How long does it take for rent paid through Plastiq to reach my landlord?
Plastiq mails a check, which typically arrives within 1 to 3 business days. If your landlord has a PayPal account, Plastiq can deposit directly, which is faster. Ask your landlord which method they prefer before you submit payment.