When tenants can skip your portal

 "Lost in the mail."

That's one excuse a Legal Plan Member swears his tenants invented just for him.

Said their mailbox must've been the Bermuda Triangle of rent checks.

Finally, he snapped.

Asked us:

"Can I force my tenants to pay rent online?"

Here's the truth: kinda.

You can waive that shiny portal around all you want.

But if it slaps a fee on the tenant?

That dog won't hunt.

Doesn't matter if it's $3 or thirty cents.

Doesn't matter if your lease yells "online only" in bold font.

The second the tenants gotta eat the fee, the law gives them an out.

You can’t require online rent payments if tenants have to pay extra fees.

If you cover all the fees?

Fine.

If you don’t?

Tenants can still stroll in with a check or drop cash in your hand like it’s 1994.

By Landlord Legal

That's issue #169 of The Brief.

And yes — this rule covers the whole gang. Apps. Portals. Even ACH, EFT, or e-check pulls.

If the tenant has to pay the fee, they don’t have to pay online.

DISCLAIMER: Heads up - none of this is legal advice. We share stories and laughs about legal stuff for Landlords.  Do your own homework and stay safe out there!