How to Pay Rent With PayPal (+ Rent Platforms That Don't Accept PayPal)

Using PayPal to pay rent is possible as long as your landlord is onboard. All you’ll need to send a payment is your landlord’s email address or mobile phone number associated with his or her PayPal account.

But what if your landlord won’t accept payments via PayPal? He or she may be willing to sign up for an online payment platform that may or may not accept PayPal. And there are also customer-driven rent platforms that will allow you to send money even if your landlord doesn’t have a specific account. We have what you need to know about paying your rent using PayPal or another online payment platform.

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How to Pay Rent With PayPal

If your landlord agrees to accept your rent each month through PayPal, doing so is simple and free. All you need is your landlord’s email address or mobile phone number associated with his or her PayPal account. You can send the money as a “Friends & Family” transaction or an items and services payment.

Using PayPal’s “Friends & Family”

You can send money to anyone in the U.S. for free using PayPal’s “Friends & Family” payment system. Since rent is neither an item nor a service, you can use the Friends & Family option, if you want. Keep in mind that by choosing this option, you will have no buyer protection. Once your landlord claims the money, you can’t reverse the payment. And, if there is a dispute, PayPal may not be able to help you get your money back. You also cannot set up recurring payments; you’ll need to log in each month to pay your rent. To make a Friends & Family payment:

Log in to your PayPal account or sign up as a new user.
Click “Send & Request.”
Enter your landlord’s email address or mobile phone number associated with his or her PayPal account.
Under the payment amount, you’ll see a description. It should say “Paying for an item or service” or “Sending to a Friend.” Make sure it’s set to “Sending to a Friend.”
The next screen lets you choose the source of your payment. You can pay from your PayPal balance or your linked bank account for free. If you pay with a linked credit card, a fee will be listed. Choose your payment source and click “Send money now.”

Using PayPal for Items and Services

You can also send money through PayPal using the “paying for an item or service” option. Rent is not exactly an item or service, but this category will suit your needs. By choosing this option, you’ll have access to PayPal’s Purchase Protection program. If you have a dispute with your landlord, you may be able to file a claim with PayPal and get your money back. You can also set up recurring payments so you rent is automatically paid each month. An items and services transaction is free no matter what source of funds you use, but the receiving party — in this case, your landlord — will be charged 2.9% plus 30 cents to receive payment. To make an items and services payment, follow the same steps above, but select “paying for an item or service.”

Online Payment Platforms That Accept PayPal

If your landlord won’t accept rent payments via PayPal, he or she may be willing to set up an online payment system to receive your rent. The following online rent platforms accept PayPal payments: RentMerchant.com and PayLease.com. Both of these management-driven platforms require your landlord or property management company to set up an account and pay any associated fees, which may end up being passed on to you.

Online Payment Platforms That Don’t Accept PayPal

If your landlord doesn’t agree to paying rent through PayPal and doesn’t use a platform that will, there are still online services that will let you pay your rent online. Some are customer-driven, meaning you can use them to pay your rent even if your landlord doesn’t have a specific account. Others are management-driven, meaning your landlord has to set up the service for you to use, and you’re locked into the options and fees he or she has selected.

Customer-Driven Rent Platforms

Avail: You can pay with your credit card or ACH (e-check using your bank account). ACH transactions are free. If your landlord isn’t enrolled, there’s a 5% fee to use your card, and Avail will send a paper check. Allow two to three days for the payment to be delivered. You can set up automatic payments using Avail if your landlord is enrolled.
Plastiq: You can pay any bill with your debit or credit card and have a check mailed. Plastiq charges a 2.5% transaction fee, which the recipient can choose to help out with. Make sure to allow enough processing time for your check to be delivered. You can set up automatic payments using Plastiq.
RadPad: You can pay with your debit card, credit card, or ACH and have a check mailed. ACH transactions are free. Debit cards have a flat $4.95 fee for payments under $5,000 and $9.95 for payments over $5,000. Credit cards have a 2.99% fee. You must schedule your payment at least four days before it’s due to allow enough time for processing and delivery. You can set up automatic payments through RadPad’s mobile app.
RentTrack: This platform will convert your credit card or ACH payment into a check or direct deposit for your landlord. In addition, RentTrack reports your rent payment history to the credit bureaus to help you build or rebuild your credit score. ACH transactions cost $6.95, and credit card transactions have a 2.95% fee. Allow eight days for your payment to be delivered. You can set up recurring payments using RentTrack.

Management-Driven Rent Platforms

Buildium: Your landlord can choose to accept debit cards, credit cards, and/or ACH, and how much of the transaction fees to pass on to you. You can set up recurring payments.
ClearNow: This platform only accepts ACH payments. Transactions are free and can be set up for automatic payments. ClearNow reports your payment history to the credit bureaus, so you can improve your credit rating with a good track record.
ClickPay: You can pay with your debit card, credit card, or ACH. Some prepaid debit cards are also accepted, and your landlord can choose to accept cash through MoneyGram locations. The landlord sets the transaction fees. You can set up recurring payments.
Cozy: You can pay with your debit card, credit card, or ACH. ACH transactions are free; card payments have a 2.75% transaction fee. You can set up recurring payments.
PayYourRent: Your landlord can choose to accept debit card, credit cards, and/or ACH. The landlord sets the transaction fees. You can set up recurring payments.
Place (formerly RentShare): You can pay with your debit card, credit card, or ACH. ACH transactions are $1.95; card transactions have a 2.99% fee. You can set up recurring payments.
RAMSRent: Your landlord can choose to accept debit card, credit cards, and/or ACH. The landlord sets the transaction fees.
Rentec Direct: You can pay with your credit card or ACH. ACH transactions are free. Your landlord will be charged 2.75% fee for credit card payments; he or she may pass that fee on to you.
Rentigo: You can pay with your debit card, credit card, or ACH. The landlord sets the transaction fees. You can set up recurring payments.
Rentler: You can pay with your debit card, credit card, or ACH. ACH transactions are $1.95. Debit transactions have a 1.9% fee; credit transactions are charged a 2.9% fee. You can choose to have your payment history reported to the credit bureaus to build your credit score. You can also set up recurring payments.
RentPayment: You can pay with your credit card, debit card, ACH, or with cash at a MoneyGram location. The landlord may pass transaction fees on to you. RentPayment reports your rental history to the credit bureaus, so on-time payments can boost your credit score. You can also set up recurring payments.
TrueRent: Your landlord can choose to accept debit card, credit cards, and/or ACH. ACH transactions are free. You won’t be charged a fee for using a debit or credit card, but not all landlords accept them because they are charged a fee.

In Summary

PayPal for rent? Yes. Now you know how to pay rent with PayPal. If your landlord agrees to accept your rent via PayPal, you can do so easily and for free. You can send the money as a “Friends & Family” transaction or an items and services payment. Alternately, your landlord may choose to set up an online payment platform that accepts PayPal, like RentMerchant or PayLease.

If your landlord does not want to work with PayPal, you can still pay your rent online using a payment platform. Some are customer-driven, meaning you can use them to pay your rent even if your landlord doesn’t have a specific account. Others are management-driven, meaning your landlord has to set up the service for you to use, and you’re locked into the options and fees he or she has selected.

With so many ways to pay your rent online, you shouldn’t have to write another check.

Wondering about other ways to pay your rent? See our research on the pros and cons of using money orders for rent.