Bilt lets you charge rent to a credit card without the usual fees, but only if your landlord is already set up in their system
Bilt is a credit card designed specifically to let you build credit by paying rent. Unlike most credit cards, Bilt charges zero fees when you use it to pay rent through their platform — no cash advance fees, no transaction fees, nothing. The catch is that your landlord has to be enrolled in Bilt's network, or you have to pay through a third-party service that charges its own fee.
If your landlord is in the Bilt network, you log into your Bilt account, enter your rent amount, and the payment goes directly to them. Your rent payment posts to your credit report as on-time payment history, which helps your credit score. If your landlord is not in the network, you can still use Bilt through a rent payment service like Plastiq or Steady, but those services charge a percentage fee (usually 1.5% to 2.5%) that you pay out of pocket.
Key Takeaways
- Bilt charges zero fees when you pay rent directly through their platform, but only if your landlord is enrolled in their system.
- You can check whether your landlord is in the Bilt network by searching their address in the Bilt app or website before you explore for the card.
- If your landlord is not in the network, you can pay through third-party services like Plastiq, but you will pay a fee (typically 1.5% to 2.5%) that comes out of your own money.
- Rent payments through Bilt report to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your credit history even if you are new to credit.
- Bilt has an annual fee and a variable interest rate, so carrying a balance costs money — the card works best if you pay the full statement balance each month.
How to check if your landlord is in the Bilt network
Before you explore for Bilt, search for your landlord or property address in the Bilt network directory. Go to the Bilt website, click on the rent payment section, and enter your address or landlord's name. The system will tell you whether they are enrolled.
If your landlord shows up, you are in the best position: you can pay rent with zero fees and build credit at the same time. If they do not show up, you have two options. You can ask your landlord to enroll in Bilt (they can do this for free), or you can use a third-party payment service. Many landlords are willing to sign up because it gives them another way to receive rent, but some prefer to stick with their existing system.
Paying rent through Bilt when your landlord is enrolled
Once you have the Bilt card and your landlord is in the system, the process is straightforward. Log into your Bilt app or website, go to the rent payment section, and enter the amount you owe. Select your landlord from the list (or search by address), and confirm the payment. The money goes directly to your landlord, usually within one to three business days.
The payment posts to your credit report as a rent payment, not a credit card purchase. This means it shows up on your credit history with the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — as an on-time payment. For people building credit from scratch or recovering from past missed payments, this is one of the main reasons to use Bilt. You are paying rent anyway; Bilt just makes that payment count toward your credit score.
Using third-party services when your landlord is not enrolled
If your landlord is not in the Bilt network and will not enroll, you can still use Bilt to pay rent through a third-party payment processor. The most common options are Plastiq and Steady. You connect your Bilt card to the service, enter your rent amount and landlord's details, and the service sends the payment on your behalf.
The trade-off is the fee. Plastiq charges around 2.5% of the rent amount, and Steady charges around 1.5%. On a $1,500 rent payment, that is $22.50 to $37.50 out of your own money. You still build credit because the payment reports to the bureaus, but you are paying for the privilege. Some people decide the credit-building benefit is worth the fee; others decide it is cheaper to just pay rent the normal way and build credit through other means (like a secured credit card or becoming an authorized user on someone else's account).
Understanding Bilt's annual fee and interest rate
Bilt charges an annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $95 per year after that. The card also carries a variable interest rate, which means the rate changes based on market conditions. As of now, the rate ranges, but you should check the current rate on Bilt's website or in your card agreement before you explore.
The annual fee and interest rate matter most if you carry a balance. If you pay your full statement balance every month, you pay no interest and the annual fee is your only cost. If you carry a balance, interest charges add up fast. For example, a $1,500 balance at 18% interest costs about $22.50 per month in interest alone. The card works best as a tool to build credit while paying rent on time, not as a way to borrow money.
How rent payments affect your credit score
Payment history is the single biggest factor in your credit score — it accounts for 35% of your FICO score. When you pay rent through Bilt, that on-time payment gets reported to the credit bureaus and counts toward your payment history. This is especially valuable if you are new to credit or if you have missed payments in the past.
One missed rent payment through Bilt will hurt your score just like any other missed payment. So if you use Bilt to build credit, make sure you can actually pay the rent on time each month. The goal is to show lenders that you pay your obligations consistently, not to take on debt you cannot afford.
Alternatives if Bilt does not work for your situation
Bilt is useful if your landlord is in the network or if you are willing to pay a third-party fee. But it is not the only way to build credit while renting. A secured credit card requires a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) and reports to the credit bureaus just like a regular card. You can use it for small purchases and pay it off each month, building a clean payment history with no landlord involvement.
Another option is to become an authorized user on someone else's credit card — usually a family member or partner with good credit. You do not have to use the card; just being added to the account can boost your score if the primary cardholder pays on time. This works if you have someone willing to add you and if you trust them to keep the account in good standing.
If you are trying to build credit specifically through rent, and Bilt is not available, you can also look into rent reporting services like Esusu or RentBureau. These services collect your rent payment history and report it to the credit bureaus for a monthly fee (usually $10 to $15). You still pay rent the normal way, but the service makes sure it counts toward your credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bilt report rent payments to all three credit bureaus?
Yes, Bilt reports rent payments to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means your on-time rent payments show up on your credit report with all three bureaus, which is important because lenders check all three when they decide whether to approve you for credit.
What happens if I miss a rent payment through Bilt?
A missed rent payment through Bilt is reported to the credit bureaus just like any other missed payment. It will hurt your credit score and may stay on your report for up to seven years. Your landlord may also charge late fees or start eviction proceedings, depending on your lease and local law.
Can I use Bilt if I have bad credit?
Bilt does not require perfect credit to explore, but the card is not designed for people with very poor credit or no credit history. If you have no credit at all, a secured credit card may be easier to get. If you have bad credit, you might need to improve it first before Bilt approves you, or you might face a higher interest rate.
Is it worth paying the third-party fee to use Bilt if my landlord is not enrolled?
That depends on your situation. If you are building credit from scratch and have no other way to report payment history, the 1.5% to 2.5% fee might be worth it. If you already have other credit accounts in good standing, paying the fee just to report rent is probably not necessary.
What if my landlord enrolls in Bilt after I already have the card?
You can start using Bilt to pay rent when ready once your landlord is in the system. Just search for them in the app and make your next payment through Bilt instead of however you were paying before. There is no waiting period or special process.