Best Ways to Collect Rent – And Get Paid on Time

It’s vital for owners of rental properties to establish a reliable rent collection strategy. Selecting a proper rental rate and managing rent payments are pivotal decisions for property owners.

Establishing an effective rent collection scheme and preparing ahead of time can lead to timely rent payments from your tenants. Let’s examine the most effective rent collection techniques from tenants and identify which strategies to avoid.

Best Methods for Direct Rent Payment

• Online. In the current era, multiple methods exist for collecting rent from tenants. Yet, with online payment systems becoming more popular, online rent payment stands out as the favored rental payment approach. This technique allows tenants to benefit from easy and secure online payments and assures property owners of timely payment reception. The online rent payment system has proven to be a reliable and convenient alternative for tenants and landlords alike.
• Payment App. Rent payment has been modernized with the use of applications like Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal. For their convenience and simple usability, these services have achieved great popularity among tenants and landlords. With the capacity to promptly request and send money, tenants find that paying rent becomes quick, efficient, and trouble-free.
• ACH Debit. Property managers are now introducing new tactics to secure prompt rent payments. ACH debit stands as one example of these methods. This method allows tenants to submit their bank details for automatic rent deduction every month. However, this arrangement may not appeal to all tenants, so it’s essential to offer a few different payment methods as alternatives. Additionally, it’s important to note that each payment method typically incurs usage fees, which can differ significantly. Consequently, it’s imperative to thoroughly research before deciding on a payment method.

Payment Methods to Avoid

You ought to nudge your tenants towards designated payment methods for their rent. It’s advisable to steer clear of cash payments due to their record-keeping difficulties. In the event of a conflict, it could become tough to demonstrate the specifics of your tenant’s payments. Thus, adhering to payment methods that provide a clear and easily accessible record.

Personal checks might not be ideal due to their lengthy clearance time and potential to bounce, incurring bank fees for both you and your tenant. Under these circumstances, money orders and cashier’s checks may be preferable, particularly for security deposit collection. Clearly articulating your payment preference and implementing a documentation strategy is essential for creating a strong paper trail, thereby averting future disputes or perplexities.

While circumstances may arise necessitating the use of one or several less-than-ideal payment methods, avoiding them is recommended. These payment methods usually involve complicated documentation and are prone to complications. Forbidding these payment methods in your rental agreements could help clearly communicate that you do not accept rent payments through these mechanisms.

Collect Through a Property Management Company

While rental properties offer a profitable venture, the process of collecting rent can prove to be laborious and time-intensive in any situation. Yet, should you wish to make the process easier, contracting with a rental property management company could be the solution you seek. Utilizing their proficiency and experience, an esteemed property management company can skillfully navigate the rent collection process, thereby freeing you to focus on other imperative components of property ownership.

Renting is made easy with Real Property Management DePenn! We provide online rent payment as part of our technologically advanced property management services. Contact us online or call 866-820-9913 today to learn more about our quality services in White Plains and nearby!