These days, we’re doing almost everything online. Perhaps your entire apartment search was online — right down to submitting the application and signing the lease. You are practically an internet sensation! Now that you’re in your apartment, the next logical step would be to pay your rent online. But if you’ve never paid rent online before, the process could be intimidating. Let’s explore some common questions about online rent payments and get you back on that virtual track.
Is it safe to pay online?
In most cases, paying online is very safe. In fact, it’s generally safer to pay online than with a paper check. That said, it’s always a good idea to know what to look for. Be sure the site you’re using begins with “HTTPS.” The “S” lets you know that the website you’re using is secure, and any information you enter will be encrypted. It’s like locking your information in a steel safe but the key is unique and changes every time you use it, making it impossible for anyone to peek at what’s inside. Websites with an SSL certificate will have a padlock icon in the browser window. If you see a padlock before the URL, this is another indication that the site is safe to use.
Methods for Paying Online
Some apartment communities have an online payment portal, which is usually found on their website. If your community doesn’t have one or you can’t locate it, ask the property manager if they accept online payments.
You can also pay through your bank using an electronic transfer, but you’ll need your property’s information to set this up. You could also consider using an app such as PayPal or Venmo, but your landlord or property manager would have to accept these types of payments.
If your landlord is set up to accept online payments through Apartments.com, your payment is secure and you can pay by credit card, debit card, EFT, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. Apple Pay, which is available for Safari version 17+ on iOS or macOS devices, adds additional personal data protection from Apple.
According to one renter who uses payments on Apartments.com to pay their rent,
“[Apartments.com] makes it…easy to pay my rent and…keep track of [my] payments [and] receipts (especially for someone [like me] who [isn’t] good with keeping records.”
Should I set up automatic withdrawals?
That depends. Some people prefer to do this so they don’t ever have to worry about forgetting a payment, while other people prefer to sign in once a month to make their payment. If you aren’t sure which method would work best for you, consider giving automatic payments a try. If you decide you prefer to log on and pay each month, you should be able to turn off automatic withdrawals in your payment preferences.
Managing automatic payments on Apartments.com
- Turning off automatic payments:
- Navigate to “Renter Tools” in the upper right menu.
- Select “Payments,” then “Auto Pay,” and click “Edit.”
- Switch the auto pay toggle from "on" to "off."
- Adjusting payment amounts:
- Go to “Account” and enter the new payment amount.
- Choose “Send payment on” to set the desired start date for the new payment amount.
- Click “Save changes” to apply your updates.
- Skipping or changing payment dates:
- Select any future date in the “Send payment on” box to adjust the start date for automatic payments.
By following these steps, you can easily confirm your automatic payment status and manage your payment settings on Apartments.com to ensure everything is in order.
How do I know if my payment went through?
You should get a notification, either on screen or through your email. If you don’t see a notification saying your payment was successful, ask your property manager or landlord how to tell if your payment was made.
When using Apartments.com, you’ll get an email confirmation when you send a payment. You can also check on payments by going to “Renter Tools” and selecting “Payments.” Click on “View Payments” to see any rent payments you’ve set up.
Can I pay on the due date?
If it’s an ACH payment, it can take up to five business days for the payment to post to your landlord’s account. If you want to make sure the rent arrives on time, it is probably a good idea to pay it a few days before the due date.
When using the property’s payment portal or Apartments.com to pay your rent, your payment should register as being paid or in progress immediately after you submit it. Be sure to ask your property manager or check your lease for more information about your due date and when a late fee might be assessed.
What should I do if my payment wasn't successful?
This could happen for a variety of reasons. First, if you are using a card, check the expiration date to make sure your card isn’t expired. If you know the funds are available (be sure to check) and the card is valid, then it is possible that your bank wouldn’t allow the charge — especially if you are sending a payment electronically for the first time. Call your bank and verify the payment, then try to send the payment again.
I accidentally paid twice! Now what?
Well, it happens. Maybe you inadvertently hit the submit button twice or you forgot you already set up the payment. Log into your property’s portal and see if there’s an option to cancel the payment. If you can’t find it, call your property manager and explain what happened (you aren’t the first person to do this — they will understand).
On Apartments.com, go to your “Payments” page. Click to expand the payment line you wish to remove and click “Delete.” It will ask you if you’re sure you want to do that. Click “Yes, delete payment.” That’s it — mistake fixed!
For payment assistance on Apartments.com, contact our customer support team at (888)-658-7368 or support@apartments.com. They are available Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. EST (excluding most National Bank Holidays).
Hopefully, you now feel a little more comfortable with online rent payments and you’re ready to add this to your list of internet skills. If you have more questions about paying rent online, ask your landlord or property manager about their preferred payment methods.
