Can I Pay Rent With a Credit Card?

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Key takeaways

Paying rent with a credit card can help you manage cash flow, earn rewards, or meet spending requirements.
The extra costs from interest and fees usually outweigh the benefits.
Use a credit card for rent payments only if you need extra cash or want to earn a welcome bonus. Ensure you have a repayment plan to avoid debt.

Paying rent with a credit card can be highly appealing. You can earn rewards and cover expenses before payday. You don’t have to worry about having the cash in your bank account when the rent’s due or the landlord decides to cash your check.

Paying with plastic is convenient, but the convenience comes at a cost. There are serious drawbacks to consider, such as high interest rates, processing fees, and risks to your credit score. Here’s what you need to know to determine if charging your rent is right for you.

How to pay rent using a credit card

Many landlords and property management companies will accept credit card payments directly or through a third-party service. Here’s how it can work.

Direct payments to landlords

You may be able to pay your landlord directly with your card. Before you swipe, ask about fees. Most payment services will charge a 3% processing fee, which the landlord will likely put on you.

Bilt Mastercard® is one of the few credit cards worth using to pay rent since it does not charge processing fees. You will also earn 1X points on monthly rent payments and other purchases, 2X points on travel, and 3X points on dining. You can also use the Bilt app to send a check in the mail.

Pay rent using a third-party service

If your landlord doesn’t accept payments by card, consider third-party services. Online bill payment services let you pay digitally without requiring much from your landlord. They will charge a fee of 2% to 3% of the transaction amount for the service.

Plastiq allows you to use your card and then sends your landlord a paper check or electronic payment. A service fee of 2.9% of the transaction amount is charged for paying rent with Plastiq.

PlacePay sends the money to your landlord via direct deposit. You pay a fee of 2.99% for card payments or a flat $1.95 fee for bank transfers. You can also split the rent payments with roommates using this service.

RentMoola charges a 2.5% transaction fee for Visa or Mastercard payments and a 3.99% fee for Discover and American Express cards. In return, you earn points through MoolaPerks.

PayPal works if your landlord has an account. Credit cards are subject to a 2.9% fee and $0.30 per transaction. Debit card payments are free.

Venmo allows you to send money to anyone with a Venmo account, including your landlord. You must pay a 3% charge to use your credit card, but there are no charges if you use your debit card.

Use a credit card cash advance

A cash advance is another option. You use your credit card to withdraw cash that you then use to pay rent. While most cards offer this feature, it’s usually not the best choice.

Credit card companies charge a 3% to 5% transaction fee anytime you take out an advance. You must pay an ATM fee if you use an ATM to withdraw cash. On top of that, cash advances are subject to a higher APR (annual percentage rate) than regular purchases.

The worst part about cash advances may be that there is no grace period. You will start accruing interest from the moment you withdraw money.

If you choose this method, use it wisely. Pay the funds back as soon as possible to avoid steep interest charges.

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Why you should use a credit card for rent

Paying by card can be a smart choice in certain circumstances. It offers flexibility, rewards, and can help you build your credit history. Most importantly, you may be able to secure a lucrative welcome bonus.

Manage cash flow

Charging monthly rental payments can help manage your cash flow. Rent is likely your largest monthly expense. A credit card can bridge the gap if rent is due before your paycheck arrives. This way, you can pay bills on time, avoid late payments, prevent eviction, and maintain a healthy relationship with your landlord.

Be careful because you want to avoid getting into the habit of borrowing to cover essential expenses. Make sure you can pay your bill in full when it is due. Only making the minimum payments will lead to interest charges and increase what you owe.

Earn rewards

When you use your card, you can earn cash-back, travel points, or other rewards. Since rent is a significant expense, you can accumulate many rewards at once.

Say your rent is $1,400 per month. Most cards offer cash-back at 1% or 2% rate. Pay with your card, and you’ll earn $14 to $28 per month. It can be a fast way to earn rewards.

Qualify for a welcome bonus

Many rewards credit cards offer a welcome bonus when you meet certain minimum spending requirements within the first few months of account opening. The minimum spending requirement is usually high. A typical bonus would be to spend $1,000 in the first three months to earn $200 cash-back.

Paying rent via card can help you quickly reach these minimum spending requirements. Just be sure to pay off your balance to avoid interest charges.

Why paying on credit can be a bad idea

Paying rent with a credit card is tempting, but it’s not always the best choice. While it can offer rewards or help meet minimum spending requirements, it also carries risks.

Interest charges

Credit cards are convenient when you’re in a financial bind but come with high-interest charges. The Federal Reserve calculated the current interest rate as 21.76% APR. An interest rate this high means that unpaid balances will snowball quickly.

If you do not pay your balance in full when due, you will incur interest charges, and your debt will grow. Credit card debt can be hard to pay off and will negate any rewards you earn.

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High processing fees

Many landlords or property managers use third-party services to accept card payments. These services often charge transaction fees of 2% to 3%. These extra charges are passed on to the renter and can add up.

For example, if your rent is $1,400 per month and you pay a 3% processing fee. You will end up paying an extra $42 per month. That comes to an additional $504 per year. The processing fee will typically cancel out any potential rewards you could earn.

Risk to your credit score

Using a card to pay rent will cause your credit utilization ratio to shoot up. Your utilization is how much of your available credit you are currently using. A high ratio will hurt your score.

Once again, let’s say your rent is $1,400 and your credit limit is $5,000. If you put rent on your card, your utilization will be 28% without any other charges. Experts recommend keeping it below 30%. Paying rent on credit will make it tough to achieve a low utilization rate.

It will also make it difficult to pay your bills on time, which may lead to debt, which can further damage your score.

To prevent a high usage rate, you can request a credit limit increase. This will give you more room to use your card. You can also pay your bill twice a month. Issuers only report your usage at the end of your billing cycle. If you pay down the balance before the billing cycle ends, you’ll have a lower usage rate and better score.

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The only time it makes sense to charge your rent

The only time you should pay rent with a card is to earn a lucrative welcome bonus. The welcome bonus will be much more than the standard credit card rewards, negating the processing fee. Before you swipe for the bonus, make sure you will be able to pay the balance in full. Otherwise, all those rewards may go toward paying off interest.

If money is tight, using your credit card for rent may be the most affordable option. Credit card APRs, while high, are still lower than the fees charged by payday lenders. It may be worth making the transaction but have a payment plan in place. Pay down your balance as soon as possible to avoid high-interest charges.

Does paying rent affect your credit score?

Paying rent does not impact your score because landlords do not report rent payments to credit bureaus. You can, however, use a rent reporting service if you want those monthly payments to count.

These services will report to the major credit bureaus and rent payments will be added to your credit report. Payment history is the most important factor in calculating your score. Pay your rent on time every month and reporting it can increase your score.

A lot of rent reporting services will also report back rent so that you can include on-time rent payments from the last two years. Some services even report other monthly bills like phone bills, utilities, subscriptions, etc.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I pay rent with a credit card without a fee?

Yes, some cards, like the Bilt Mastercard®, allow you to pay rent without charging a processing fee. Check with your landlord to see if they will accept cards as a form of payment.

2. What are the best credit cards to pay rent with?

The best credit card to pay rent is one that does not charge a processing fee. Cards with lucrative welcome bonuses can also be a good choice since the rewards you earn should outweigh any fees.

3. Is paying rent with a credit card worth it?

It can be worth it if you earn more rewards than you spend on a processing fee. You will also need to be able to pay your balance in full when due. Otherwise, the interest charges can easily outweigh any reward benefits.

Bottom line

Paying rent with a credit card is doable but not usually a smart choice. It’s just too expensive and risky. You’ll have to pay a processing fee that will negate any rewards you earn. The high balance will increase your credit utilization rate and be more challenging to pay off. Not being able to pay on time and in full can lead to a cycle of debt and tank your credit score. The convenience is likely not worth it.

The better option may be to reach out for financial assistance or barter with your landlord for rent reduction. Call 211 to speak to someone about assistance programs near you. Go to FindHelp or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for more resources for paying rent. Credit cards are a valuable financial tool, but rent payments are not their strong suit.

1. Paycheck Advance is For eligible customers only. Your actual available Paycheck Advance amount will be displayed to you in the mobile app and may change from time to time. Conditions and eligibility may vary and are subject to change at any time, at the sole discretion of Finco Advance LLC, which offers this optional feature. Finco Advance LLC is a financial technology company, not a bank. Expedited disbursement of your Paycheck Advance is an optional feature that is subject to an Instant Access Fee and may not be available to all users. Expedited disbursements may take up to an hour. For more information, please refer to Paycheck Advance Terms and Conditions. Current is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. FDIC insurance up to $250,000 only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. The Current Visa® Debit Card issued by Choice Financial Group, and the Current Visa® secured charge card issued by Cross River Bank, are both pursuant to licenses from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit or credit cards are accepted. Current Individual Account required to apply for the Current Visa® secured charge card. Independent approval required. Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct deposit and earlier availability of funds is subject to timing of payer’s submission of deposits.

2. Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. The Current Visa® Debit Card is issued by Choice Financial Group pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Current Visa® secured charge card is issued by Cross River Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank. Current Individual Account required to apply for the Current Visa® secured charge card. Independent approval required.

3. Individual results may vary. Using your credit card responsibly may allow you to improve your credit score. Credit building depends on various factors, including your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and other financial activities.

4. Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct deposit and earlier availability of funds is subject to timing of payer’s submission of deposits.

5. Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group. Funds held in Savings Pods are FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 at our partner bank Choice Financial Group, member FDIC

6. Paycheck Advance is For eligible customers only. Your actual available Paycheck Advance amount will be displayed to you in the mobile app and may change from time to time. Conditions and eligibility may vary and are subject to change at any time, at the sole discretion of Finco Advance LLC, which offers this optional feature. Finco Advance LLC is a financial technology company, not a bank. Expedited disbursement of your Paycheck Advance is an optional feature that is subject to an Instant Access Fee and may not be available to all users. Expedited disbursements may take up to an hour. For more information, please refer to Paycheck Advance Terms and Conditions.

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9. Some fees may apply, including out of network ATM fees of $2.50 per transaction, late payment fees of 3% of any total due balance outstanding and past due for two or more billing cycles, foreign transaction fees of 3% of the full transaction amount (minimum $0.50), card replacement fees per card of $5 for regular delivery and $30 for expedited delivery, cash deposit fees of $3.50 per deposit, and third party processing fees.

10. Boost Bonuses are credited to your Savings Pods within 48 hours of enabling the Boost feature and on a daily basis thereafter, provided that the Savings Pod has accrued a Boost Bonus of at least $0.01. The Boost rate on Savings Pods is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed rate is effective as of August 1, 2023. Must have $0.01 in Savings Pods to earn a Boost rate of either 0.25% or 4.00% annually on the portion of balances up to $2000 per Savings Pod, up to $6000 total. The remaining balance earns 0.00%. A qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more is required for 4.00%. No minimum balance required. For more information, please refer to Current Boost Terms and Conditions.

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12. Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group. Your money is FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 at each of our partner banks, Choice Financial Group and Cross River Bank, members FDIC.

13. Average value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2023 for stays of two nights. Benefits include daily breakfast for two, room upgrade upon arrival when available, $100 amenity, guaranteed 4PM late checkout, and noon check-in when available. Certain room categories not eligible for upgrade. $100 amenity varies by property. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability, and use of benefits.

14. Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

15. The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

16. Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one- way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

17. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

18. Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

19. When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

20. Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited to up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

21. Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.

22. The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card is issued by Stride Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.

23. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

24. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.

25. There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.

26. To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.

27. Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.

28. Based on a representative study conducted by Experian®, members who made their first purchase with Credit Builder between June 2020 and October 2020 observed an average FICO® Score 8 increase of 30 points after approximately 8 months. On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score.

29. On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.

30. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

31. SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your Visa debit card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions.

32. Tipping or not tipping has no impact on your eligibility for SpotMe®.

33. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

34. Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your savings account.

35. Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account.

36. Mobile Check Deposit eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion and may be granted based on various factors including, but not limited to, a member’s direct deposit enrollment status.

37. Funds are automatically debited from your Checking Account and typically deposited into the recipient’s Checking Account within seconds. Pay Anyone transactions will be monitored and may be held, delayed or blocked if the transfer could result in fraud or another form of financial harm. Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed.

38. Pay Anyone transactions will be monitored and may be held, delayed or blocked if the transfer could result in fraud or another form of financial harm. Sometimes instant transfers can be delayed. Non-Chime members must use a valid debit card to claim funds.

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Rachel Alulis

Rachel Alulis has been the lead editor for Moneyfor’s credit cards team since 2015 and for the financial rewards team since 2023. Before joining Moneyfor, Rachel worked at USA Today and the Des Moines Register. She then established a successful freelance writing and editing business specializing in personal finance. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA.

Can I Pay My Rent With a Credit Card?

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