Payment controls let you decide how renters can pay — by bank transfer (ACH), by credit/debit card, or both — and whether you cover some or all of the ACH transaction fees. Set them as portfolio defaults, then override them per unit when needed.
Your service plan determines which controls appear:
Accept ACH requires the Accept ACH plan feature.
Accept credit/debit card requires the Accept Card plan feature.
Absorb ACH fees requires the pass-through ACH fees plan feature (shown as “Pass-through ACH fees to tenants” / renter-pays-fees). Without it, Absorb is locked.
At least one payment method must stay enabled. If your plan includes both ACH and card, you cannot turn both off.
Use this to set defaults for units in a portfolio.
Sign in to PayRent as a landlord.
Go to Properties (property groups / portfolios).
Open Property Group Settings (gear icon) for the portfolio.
Under Default Property Settings, adjust the payment controls.
Save.
New units typically inherit these defaults. Existing units keep their own settings until you edit them.
Use this to set payment options for a specific unit.
Go to Properties.
Add or edit a unit (for example Add Unit, or open the unit’s property settings panel).
Under Property Settings, adjust the payment controls.
Save.
You can also set these during onboarding when you create a portfolio or unit.
What it does: Allows renters to pay rent by bank transfer (ACH).
In the UI: Checkbox labeled Accept ACH payments
Setting | Effect for renters |
On | Renters can add a bank account and pay by ACH |
Off | ACH is not offered for add or pay; card remains available if enabled |
Notes:
Turning ACH off also clears Absorb (you can only absorb ACH fees when ACH is accepted).
If ACH Balance Pre-check is enabled for a renter, it only applies when ACH payments are available for that property.
What it does: Allows renters to pay with a credit or debit card.
In the UI: Checkbox labeled Accept credit/debit card payments
Tooltip: “Choose to allow renters to pay rent with a credit or debit card. Renters pay these fees.”
Setting | Effect for renters |
On | Renters can add a card and pay by card |
Off | Card is not offered; ACH remains available if enabled |
Who pays card fees? Renters always pay card processing fees. Absorb settings do not apply to cards — only to ACH.
What it does: Lets you pay some or all of the ACH transaction fee instead of passing it through to the renter.
In the UI:
Checkbox labeled Absorb
Percent field: ___ percent of ACH fees
Tooltip: “Absorb, split or pass-through ACH transaction fees. If selected, you are paying some percentage of ACH fees.”
Configuration | Who pays the ACH fee |
Absorb unchecked (default pass-through) | Renter pays 100% of ACH fees |
Absorb checked, 100 percent | Landlord pays 100% of ACH fees |
Absorb checked, e.g. 50 percent | Landlord pays 50%; renter pays 50% |
Absorb is available only when:
Your plan includes pass-through / absorb ACH fee controls, and
Accept ACH payments is on.
If ACH is off, Absorb is disabled and cleared.
If you use ACH Balance Precheck on a renter, the balance verification fee is always paid by the renter. Absorb ACH fees does not cover it.
Goal | Accept ACH | Accept card | Absorb |
Lowest-cost bank payments; renters pay ACH fees | On | Optional | Off |
Bank payments; you cover ACH fees | On | Optional | On + 100% |
Split ACH fees with renters | On | Optional | On + your % |
Faster settlement times and NSF Protection | Off | On | Off (N/A) |
ACH only (No Card Acceptance) | On | Off | Your choice |
ACH on: Bank account options appear when adding a payment method and making a payment.
Card on: Credit/debit card options appear.
Absorb 100%: ACH checkout can show that the landlord is covering the fee.
Partial absorb: Renters may see that you are absorbing a percentage of the ACH fee.
Either rail off: That method is hidden for add and pay on that property.
Set portfolio defaults first, then override individual units that need different rules.
Keep at least one rail on so renters always have a way to pay.
Prefer ACH when you want lower fee mix; keep card on as a backup if your plan allows both.
