When you can pay rent with a credit card
Most landlords do not accept credit cards directly for rent. Rent is typically paid by check, bank transfer, or money order to a landlord's account. However, you can use a credit card to pay rent indirectly through a third-party payment service, and some landlords have set up systems that allow card payments.
The key is finding out what your landlord accepts. Call or email and ask whether they use a payment platform that takes cards, or whether they will accept a card payment through a service like PayPal or Venmo. Some landlords have no system in place and will not accept cards at all, no matter the method.
If your landlord does not accept cards, you can use a credit card to fund a bank transfer or money order through your own bank, though this usually counts as a cash advance and carries fees and higher interest rates.
Key Takeaways
- Most landlords do not accept credit cards directly; you will need to ask your landlord what payment methods they use.
- Third-party payment platforms like PayPal, Venmo, and specialized rent payment services can convert a credit card payment into a transfer your landlord will accept.
- Using a credit card to pay rent through a payment service usually costs 2 to 3 percent in fees, which you or your landlord will pay.
- Paying rent with a credit card can help you build credit history, but only if your landlord reports the payment to credit bureaus — most do not.
- Using a credit card cash advance to fund rent is expensive and should be a last resort, as it carries higher interest rates and when ready fees.
How payment platforms convert credit cards to rent payments
Payment platforms act as a middleman between you and your landlord. You enter your credit card information, the platform processes the charge, and then sends the money to your landlord by bank transfer or check. The landlord receives funds in their preferred method without ever seeing your card details.
Common platforms that work this way include PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and services built specifically for rent like Bilt, Landlord.com, and Apartments.com's payment portal. Some property management companies have their own payment systems that accept cards. Ask your landlord or property manager which platforms they use, or whether they have a payment portal on their website.
The process is straightforward: log into the platform, enter the rent amount, select your credit card as the funding source, and confirm the payment. The platform will show you the fee upfront before you complete the transaction. Most platforms charge between 2 and 3 percent of the payment amount, though some charge a flat fee instead.
Fees and costs you will encounter
Every payment platform charges a fee for converting your credit card into a rent payment. This fee is usually a percentage of the rent amount — typically 2 to 3 percent — though some services charge a flat dollar amount per transaction instead.
On a $1,500 rent payment, a 2.5 percent fee equals $37.50. Some platforms allow you to pass this fee to your landlord, while others require you to pay it yourself. Check the platform's terms before you confirm the payment, because the fee structure varies widely.
Your credit card company may also charge a cash advance fee if the platform codes the transaction as a cash advance rather than a purchase. This is rare with modern payment platforms, but it happens. Cash advance fees are usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount, plus a higher interest rate that starts accruing when ready — not at the end of your billing cycle like regular purchases.
Whether paying rent with a credit card builds your credit
Paying rent with a credit card does build your credit history — but only if your landlord reports the payment to the credit bureaus. Most landlords do not report rent payments, so most rent paid by credit card will not show up on your credit report at all.
Some specialized rent payment services, like Bilt, are designed specifically to report rent payments to credit bureaus. If building credit is your goal, ask your landlord whether they use a service that reports to Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. If they do not, paying rent by credit card will help your credit only indirectly — by keeping your credit utilization low if you pay off the card balance when ready.
If you carry a balance on the credit card after paying rent, the interest charges will outweigh any credit-building benefit. Only use a credit card for rent if you can pay the full balance when the bill arrives.
Using a credit card cash advance to pay rent
A credit card cash advance is when you withdraw cash from your credit card at an ATM or through your bank. You can then use that cash to pay rent by check or transfer. This method is expensive and should only be used as a last resort.
Cash advances charge an upfront fee — usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn — plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases. The interest starts accruing when ready, not at the end of your billing cycle. On a $1,500 cash advance, you might pay $45 to $75 in fees alone, plus interest that compounds daily.
If you have no other way to pay rent and are considering a cash advance, contact your landlord first. Many landlords will work with you on payment timing or accept a partial payment rather than have you take on high-cost debt. A cash advance should be a true last resort, not a regular payment method.
Alternatives if your landlord does not accept cards
If your landlord will not accept credit card payments through any platform, you have other options. You can use your credit card to fund a bank transfer through your own bank's online portal, though this may be coded as a cash advance. You can also pay a bill payment service like Plastiq, which accepts credit cards and sends a check to your landlord on your behalf.
Plastiq charges a fee of around 2.5 percent and takes 1 to 3 business days to deliver payment. This is slower than a direct platform payment but works if your landlord has no online payment system at all.
Another option is to ask your landlord whether they accept payment through a bill payment service that your bank offers. Many banks let you send payments from a credit card to any payee, though again this may trigger a cash advance fee. Always confirm the fee structure with your bank before you process the payment.
When paying rent by credit card makes sense
Paying rent by credit card makes sense in a few specific situations. If you are working toward a credit card rewards goal — like meeting a minimum spend for a sign-up bonus — and you can pay off the balance when ready, the rewards may offset the platform fee. A 2 percent cash back card minus a 2.5 percent platform fee leaves you slightly behind, but a 3 or 5 percent rewards card could come out ahead.
Paying rent by credit card also makes sense if you are short on cash this month but expect to have funds next month. Charging rent to a card buys you time to pay the balance before interest kicks in. However, this only works if you actually have the money coming in — using a credit card to float rent you cannot afford is a path to debt.
Paying rent by credit card does not make sense if you will carry a balance, if your landlord does not report payments to credit bureaus and you are trying to build credit, or if the only method available is a cash advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to pay rent if my landlord says no?
Not directly. If your landlord refuses credit card payments, you cannot force them to accept one. However, you can use a payment service like Plastiq that accepts your credit card and sends a check to your landlord on your behalf. Your landlord receives a check and has no way to know it was funded by a credit card.
Will paying rent with a credit card hurt my credit score?
It can hurt your score temporarily if it raises your credit utilization — the percentage of your available credit you are using. If you charge $1,500 rent to a card with a $5,000 limit, your utilization jumps to 30 percent, which can lower your score slightly. The score recovers once you pay off the balance. Carrying a balance will hurt your score more through interest charges than through utilization.
What happens if I use a credit card cash advance to pay rent?
You will pay an upfront fee of 3 to 5 percent plus a higher interest rate that starts accruing when ready. On a $1,500 advance, you could owe $45 to $75 in fees plus daily interest. This is one of the most expensive ways to borrow money and should only be used if you have no other option.
Do I need to tell my landlord I am paying with a credit card?
No. If you use a payment platform or service, your landlord receives the funds by their preferred method — usually a bank transfer or check — and does not see that a credit card was involved. You only need to tell your landlord if they ask what payment method you used.
Which payment platforms report rent to credit bureaus?
Bilt is the most well-known service that reports rent payments to credit bureaus. Some property management companies and landlords use their own systems that report to bureaus, but this is uncommon. Ask your landlord or property manager directly whether they report rent payments. If they do not, paying by credit card will not build your credit history.