What Bilt Rent Payment Is
Bilt is a credit card issued by Bilt Rewards that lets you pay rent with a credit card and earn rewards points on the transaction. Most landlords do not accept credit cards directly, so Bilt handles the payment on your behalf — it sends money to your landlord through ACH (a bank-to-bank transfer) while you charge the rent amount to your Bilt card.
The card itself has no annual fee. You earn one point per dollar spent on rent payments, plus bonus points on other purchases like dining and travel. The catch is that Bilt charges a processing fee on rent payments, which varies depending on how you fund the transaction.
Bilt does not work with every landlord. Your landlord must be enrolled in Bilt's system, or you must be able to pay them through a third-party service that Bilt integrates with. If your landlord is not set up, you cannot use Bilt to pay them, even if you have the card.
Key Takeaways
- Bilt charges a 1.5% fee when you pay rent with a debit card or bank account, and a 2.5% fee when you pay with another credit card.
- You earn one Bilt Rewards point per dollar of rent paid, but the fee cost often outweighs the points value unless you have a high rent amount.
- Your landlord must be enrolled in Bilt's network or accessible through a payment platform Bilt partners with; you cannot use Bilt if your landlord is not set up.
- Bilt reports rent payments to credit bureaus, which can help build your credit history if you pay on time.
- The card has no annual fee, but you pay the processing fee every time you use it to pay rent.
How the Fee Structure Works
Bilt charges a processing fee each time you pay rent through the card. The fee depends on which payment method you use to fund the transaction:
| Payment Method | Fee |
|---|---|
| Debit card or bank account | 1.5% of rent amount |
| Another credit card | 2.5% of rent amount |
On a $1,500 rent payment funded by your bank account, you would pay $22.50 in fees. On the same amount funded by another credit card, you would pay $37.50. These fees are charged by Bilt at the time of payment and appear on your Bilt card statement.
The points you earn (one per dollar) are worth roughly 0.5 to 1 cent each, depending on how you redeem them. This means the points value on a $1,500 payment is worth about $7.50 to $15 at redemption. After subtracting the fee, you are paying to earn rewards rather than the other way around.
When Bilt Makes Financial Sense
Bilt works best for renters with high monthly rent who also have a specific reason to use a credit card for the transaction. If you are trying to meet a credit card sign-up bonus spending requirement, paying rent through Bilt can count toward that threshold. If your rent is $2,000 or higher and you are funding it with a debit card (the lower 1.5% fee), the points value may offset some of the cost.
Bilt also reports on-time rent payments to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — the three major credit bureaus. If you have limited credit history or are rebuilding your credit, this reporting can help your credit score over time. The score benefit may justify the fee if you are working toward a mortgage or other loan.
For most renters with rent under $1,500 or who are funding the payment with another credit card, the fee exceeds the points value. In those cases, paying your landlord directly (if they accept checks or bank transfers) costs nothing and builds the same credit history if your landlord reports to the bureaus.
How to Set Up a Bilt Rent Payment
First, you need a Bilt credit card. You can request one through Bilt's website; there is no fee to open the account. The card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Once you have it, you log into your Bilt account online or through the mobile app.
In the app or website, you enter your landlord's information. Bilt searches its network to see if your landlord is enrolled. If they are, you can proceed to the payment screen. If not, Bilt may offer an alternative — some landlords are reachable through payment platforms that Bilt partners with, such as Apartments.com or Zillow. If your landlord is not in any of these systems, Bilt cannot process the payment.
Once your landlord is confirmed, you select the rent amount and the date you want the payment sent. You then choose your funding method (debit card, bank account, or credit card) and confirm the fee. Bilt sends the money to your landlord via ACH, which typically takes 1 to 3 business days. Your Bilt card is charged when ready, and the fee appears on your statement.
What Happens If Your Landlord Is Not in Bilt's System
If your landlord is not enrolled in Bilt and is not reachable through a partner platform, you cannot use Bilt to pay them. Bilt does not offer a workaround — you cannot pay Bilt and have them forward the money to an unenrolled landlord. Your only option is to pay your landlord directly through whatever method they accept: check, bank transfer, online portal, or in person.
Some larger property management companies and apartment complexes are enrolled in Bilt. Smaller landlords and independent property owners are less likely to be. Before you request a Bilt card, you can check whether your landlord is in the system by visiting Bilt's website and entering your landlord's name or address in their landlord search tool.
How Bilt Rent Reporting Affects Your Credit
Bilt reports rent payments to the three major credit bureaus each month. If you pay on time, this creates a positive payment history that can help your credit score, especially if you have few other accounts reporting to the bureaus. The benefit is most noticeable for people with limited credit history or those rebuilding after missed payments.
If you miss a rent payment or pay late through Bilt, that negative information is also reported. This can hurt your score more than it would if you paid your landlord directly and they did not report to the bureaus. For this reason, only use Bilt if you are confident you can pay on time each month.
The credit reporting is automatic — you do not have to do anything to enable it. Bilt reports whether the payment was made on time, late, or not at all.
Comparing Bilt to Other Rent Payment Options
Several other services let you pay rent with a credit card, including Plastiq and Venmo. Plastiq charges a 2.5% fee regardless of funding method and does not offer rewards. Venmo charges no fee if you use a debit card or bank account, but charges 3% if you use a credit card. Neither reports to credit bureaus the way Bilt does.
If your landlord accepts direct bank transfers or checks, paying them directly costs nothing and avoids fees entirely. The trade-off is that your landlord may not report to credit bureaus, so you do not build credit history. If credit building is your goal and your rent is high enough to absorb the fee, Bilt is a reasonable choice. If you are only trying to pay rent as cheaply as possible, direct payment is almost always better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Bilt to pay rent if my landlord is not in their system?
No. Bilt only works with landlords who are enrolled in their network or reachable through a partner platform. If your landlord is not set up, you cannot use Bilt. You can check whether your landlord is enrolled by searching on Bilt's website before you request a card.
Do I have to pay the fee every time I use Bilt to pay rent?
Yes. The fee is charged on every rent payment you make through Bilt. There is no way to avoid it or to make a certain number of payments fee-free. The fee is 1.5% if you fund it with a debit card or bank account, and 2.5% if you fund it with another credit card.
Will paying rent through Bilt help my credit score?
Yes, if you pay on time. Bilt reports to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, so on-time payments build your credit history. Late or missed payments are also reported and will hurt your score. Only use Bilt if you can reliably pay on time each month.
Is the Bilt card worth it if my rent is low?
Probably not. On rent under $1,500, the points value (roughly $7.50 to $15 per payment) is usually less than the fee ($22.50 to $37.50 per payment). The card makes more sense for high rent amounts or if you are using it to meet a credit card sign-up bonus requirement.
What if I want to dispute a rent payment made through Bilt?
Contact Bilt directly through your account or customer service. Bilt handles the dispute on your behalf since they are the ones sending the money to your landlord. Response times vary, but Bilt typically investigates within 10 business days. Keep records of your lease and any communication with your landlord about the payment.