--- title: "How to Configure Payment Controls" description: "Control how renters can pay" url: https://support.payrent.com/en/articles/11132575-how-to-configure-payment-controls collection: "Landlord Help" updated: 2026-10-29 language: en --- # How to Configure Payment Controls Control how renters can pay 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. ## Before you start - 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. ## Where to find payment controls ### Portfolio defaults Use this to set defaults for units in a portfolio. 1. Sign in to PayRent as a landlord. 2. Go to **Properties** (property groups / portfolios). 3. Open **Property Group Settings** (gear icon) for the portfolio. 4. Under **Default Property Settings**, adjust the payment controls. 5. Save. New units typically inherit these defaults. Existing units keep their own settings until you edit them. ### Unit / property settings Use this to set payment options for a specific unit. 1. Go to **Properties**. 2. Add or edit a unit (for example **Add Unit**, or open the unit’s property settings panel). 3. Under **Property Settings**, adjust the payment controls. 4. Save. You can also set these during onboarding when you create a portfolio or unit. ## Accept ACH payments **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. ## Accept credit/debit card payments **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. ## Absorb ACH fees **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.” ### How the percent works

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: 1. Your plan includes pass-through / absorb ACH fee controls, and 2. **Accept ACH payments** is on. If ACH is off, Absorb is disabled and cleared. ### Related fees 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. ## Common setups

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

## What renters see - **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. ## Tips - 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.