Β #LegalQuestion #RentPayments #CaliforniaLandlord
Hey y’all! π So, I recently found out that my landlord is forcing me to pay my rent through an online portal that charges a $10 transaction fee EVERY payment. Is this even legal? I mean, if my lease is for $600 a month, shouldn’t it just be $600 a month without any extra fees tacked on? I’m in California, by the way.
I could really use some advice on what to do in this situation. I don’t have the resources to take legal action, so is there some sort of law or regulation I can reference to show my landlord that this isn’t okay?
Possible solution to consider:
– Check your lease agreement for any language about payment methods and fees
– Research California rental laws related to payment methods and fees
Let’s help each other out and share any insights or experiences we have on this topic! π¬π‘ #LegalAdvice #TenantRights
Does your lease say you have to use the online portal?
Likely the 10 is a debit/credit transaction fee.
Likely you can add a bank account and routing number and only be charged ~$2.
Also you can mail a physical check with no fee.
I’m in SOCAL. I’ve already gone through the big fight on these fees and have ended up using electronic wire via bank account at $1.67 per transaction.
It’s annoying
Yeah itβs BS. Why pass that charge to the customer? Landlords are greedy AF
In CA. My place has a portal where i pay my rent. I have the option of paying with a debit/credit card and that adds a surcharge to it. The other option is to pay via a bank account. No charge. Check to see if you have that option.
Ask the landlord for an option to pay that doesn’t involve an additional fee.Β
You can definitely ask for a different method of payments. But if the landlord is insistent on using that portal, you don’t wanna cause too much trouble. Because if you get on their bad side they could choose not to renew your lease
They have to give you an option that doesn’t have a fee. Either bank transfer or check or something.
You need to look at the bigger picture. You’re paying $610 for rent in California. If you make a legal stink about it, you can basically guarantee having to find a new place. Is that worth it to you?
Higher than a stripclub ATM fee
I have the same question for Pennsylvania if anyone knows the answer. I tried looking online already but could not figure it out.
My electric company does this π maximum payment of $750 at once, which is less than the monthly bill during the winter(absurd I know. Old house that needs insulation work this summer). So I get to make multiple payments each month, and each payment has a “service fee” tacked on as though a computer doesn’t just handle it anyway.
Their other option is to pay with bank transfer which takes 7-10 business days to clear according to them. I don’t have a 10 day window between payday and electric due day most months. So I get to pay the service fees twice every month in the winter, and once per month in the summer.
They know we have to use it, and it’s no harm to them. It’s only us who have a problem with it – they still get theirs.
Does it accept credit cards? Getting 2% cash back on $600 is $12. If so, it would benefit you.
Pay 590.00. When landlord complains show receipt of $600.00 dollars and lease agreement of $600.00.
Interesting because mine charged me 31$ to pay online and itβs the only option.