Seven states regulate which payment methods landlords may or may not accept for rent. In other states, landlords have the right to dictate which payment methods are and aren’t acceptable if they are stated in the lease agreement.
Which Rent Payment Methods are Permitted/Required in Each State?
The following seven states regulate which payment methods landlords must accept or may not require.
| State | Rent Payment Methods |
|---|---|
| California | Landlords must accept at least one form of payment besides cash or electronic funds transfer |
| Connecticut | Landlords cannot require electronic payments |
| Hawaii | Landlords cannot require post-dated checks |
| New Jersey | Landlords cannot require electronic payments |
| New York | Landlords cannot require electronic payments |
| Texas | Landlords must accept cash unless the lease agreement provides other acceptable methods |
| Washington | Landlords must accept money orders and personal or cashier’s checks; landlords must accept payment by mail if there is no accessible location to pay rent in person |
In states that don’t regulate rent payment methods, landlords are still required to act reasonably. Thus, tenants must be given at least one reasonable option for payment rent, such as by check, electronic payment, or bank transfer. For example, landlords cannot require that tenants drive to an offsite location far from the rental unit to drop off a check.
Are Landlords Required to Make Payment Method Accommodations for Disabilities?
By federal law, landlords are required to make accommodations for disabilities. For example, disabled tenants cannot be required to deliver a check to the leasing office if they are unable to easily travel from their rental unit to the leasing office.
