Can You Pay Rent by Credit Card? (2026)

February 8, 2026 by Georges Benoliel

While paying rent by credit card to earn points may seem advantageous, most landlords do not accept this method because of the roughly 3% (or more) processing fee. Additionally, Pay Rent by Credit Card accepting credit card payments exposes landlords to chargebacks or disputes. Why would a rational landlord allow tenants to dispute their rent payments? If a tenant chooses not to pay rent for any reason, should they be able to initiate a lengthy, costly dispute process? Remember, there is no free lunch: the credit card points you earn are a partial rebate of the merchant processing fees. Consequently, most landlords prefer payments by check, cash, ACH, Zelle, Venmo, or other methods that avoid per-transaction fees.

How to pay rent by credit card?

Most landlords generally prefer non-credit card payments for the reasons mentioned earlier. However, some may offer options through services such as ClickPay, which many condo and co-op buildings use for maintenance or common charges.

Just keep in mind, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. If you choose to pay by credit card, you’ll typically incur a processing fee of around 3%, whereas linking your bank account is often free. Unless your landlord already uses a system that accepts various payment methods, it’s quite unlikely you’ll be able to persuade them to accept credit cards.

How to get your landlord to accept credit card payments?

It’s usually best to avoid making rent negotiations unless your landlord is open to it, especially if you’re not in a tenant-friendly area like NYC or LA where landlords have fewer rights. While earning credit card points might seem like a bonus, these points are often a result of the ~3% processing fee your landlord pays, which might lead to concerns about rent payment disputes.

Instead of trying to cut your rent by 3% just to earn 1% in credit card points, consider asking your landlord about more convenient and fee-free payment options such as apartments.com (with free ACH rent payments), Zelle, or Venmo.

Also, if you’re concerned about your security deposit, keep in mind that rules around security deposits—such as limits and refund policies—can be strict. Be sure to check out our guide for helpful tips on how to get your security deposit back.

Pros of paying rent by credit card

One key benefit of paying rent with a credit card is the flexibility it offers. Credit cards enable you to spread out payments over time, which can be helpful if you face temporary cash flow problems and need extra time to pay your rent. They are also useful if you’re waiting for a paycheck or expecting a large sum of money later in the month. Using a credit card ensures timely rent payments, helping you avoid late fees and penalties.

Another advantage is that paying rent by credit card can help build your credit. Consistently making on-time payments demonstrates financial responsibility and can boost your credit score. This can be especially beneficial if you plan to apply for a loan or other credit in the future, as a higher score is more appealing to lenders.

Additionally, paying rent with a credit card can earn you rewards and perks not available with checks or cash. Many credit cards offer cashback, points, or other incentives for purchases, including rent, allowing you to accumulate rewards that can save you money or provide additional benefits.

Finally, this method is convenient and straightforward. You can set up automatic payments to ensure your rent is paid on time each month, saving you time and reducing the risk of missed payments. You can also monitor your payment history and track expenses through your credit card account, making financial management easier.

Cons of paying rent by credit card

While paying rent with a credit card offers advantages, it also has potential drawbacks.

The primary concern is cost, as many landlords charge a processing fee that can be a flat rate or a percentage of the rent, increasing the overall expense compared to check or cash payments.
Another issue is the risk of incurring debt: using a credit card for rent effectively becomes a loan that accrues interest if not paid off monthly, which can lead to future payment difficulties and affect your credit score.
Additionally, careless use of credit cards, especially when earning rewards or cash back, can lead to overspending, financial strain, or debt if bills can’t be paid in full. Managing expenses across multiple purchases can also be challenging, making it harder to stay within budget.
Finally, not all landlords accept credit card payments, and those with low credit limits or high balances may struggle to cover the full rent, adding financial stress.

Bottom line

You can pay rent using a debit card if your landlord accepts credit card payments, as their payment processor probably supports both methods. This may be preferable to using a credit card because it helps avoid accumulating debt.

Paying with a debit card uses funds already in your bank account, reducing the risk of interest charges and fees associated with credit card debt. Plus, debit payments generally have no processing fees, which is attractive to landlords who don’t pay merchant fees or handle chargebacks.

However, smaller landlords often can’t negotiate lower processing costs, so most still pay around 3%, whether the payment is by debit or credit card. Using a debit card for rent can also help build or improve your credit score.

While debit payments don’t directly impact your credit, they can show a positive payment history, which is beneficial for your credit profile. Making regular, timely rent payments via a debit card demonstrates financial responsibility and may boost your creditworthiness over time.

Drawbacks to paying rent with a debit card:

Fees—some landlords or payment processors might charge fees comparable to credit card fees.
Security concerns—sharing your debit card information for rent payments poses a risk of data breaches or security incidents, which could lead to unauthorized withdrawals and a complex dispute process.
No credit building—unlike credit card payments that can boost your credit score, debit payments don’t usually impact your credit. If your goal is to build or improve your credit, paying rent with a debit card may not be the best option.
No rewards—many credit cards offer rewards or cashback on purchases, including rent. Paying with a debit card means missing out on these benefits.
Limited dispute options—disputing issues with your rent payment or landlord can be harder with a debit card, as credit cards typically provide more protections and resolution options.

Tags: Real Estate Taxes in NYC

Written By: Georges Benoliel

Georges has been working in Wall Street for the last 16 years trading derivatives with hedge funds. He has been an active real estate investor for over a decade. Georges graduated from HEC Business School in Paris and holds a master in Finance from ESADE Barcelona.

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