What Bilt does with your rent payment
Bilt is a payment platform that lets you pay your rent with a credit card instead of a check or bank transfer. When you use Bilt, you connect your landlord's bank account information, and Bilt sends them an electronic payment on your behalf. The key difference from paying directly: Bilt reports your on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, which can help build your credit history.
Most landlords don't report rent payments to credit bureaus themselves. That means years of paying rent on time may never show up on your credit report. Bilt fills that gap by acting as the middleman — you pay Bilt (usually with a credit card), Bilt pays your landlord, and Bilt tells the credit bureaus you paid.
This matters because credit bureaus use payment history to calculate your credit score. A higher score can lower the interest rate you pay on loans, help you get approved for an apartment, and sometimes affect job applications or insurance rates.
Key Takeaways
- Bilt sends your rent payment to your landlord electronically while reporting the payment to credit bureaus to help build your credit history.
- You can pay Bilt with a credit card, debit card, or bank account, though credit card payments may carry a fee.
- Your landlord receives the money the same way they would from any other payment method — they don't need to sign up for anything or change how they operate.
- Bilt only reports payments that arrive on time, so late payments won't help your credit and may hurt it.
- You need a lease agreement and your landlord's banking details to set up a Bilt payment.
How to set up a Bilt payment
Start by creating a Bilt account on their website or app. You'll provide your name, email, and basic information. Then you'll upload a photo of your lease or provide your landlord's details manually — Bilt needs to verify that you actually rent from the person you're paying.
Next, enter your landlord's bank account information. This is the account where they want rent deposited. If your landlord doesn't have a bank account or prefers a check, Bilt can mail a physical check on your behalf, though this takes longer and may cost more.
Finally, choose how you want to pay Bilt. You can use a credit card, debit card, or link your bank account directly. If you use a credit card, Bilt may charge a fee (usually around 1% to 2% of the rent amount). Paying with a debit card or bank account typically has no fee.
When Bilt sends the payment and what your landlord sees
Once you submit a payment through Bilt, they send it to your landlord's bank account as an electronic transfer. The timing depends on your bank and your landlord's bank, but most transfers arrive within one to three business days. Your landlord receives it the same way they would receive any other bank transfer — they don't see Bilt's name or know you used the service unless you tell them.
Your landlord's bank statement will show the deposit came from Bilt (or from a Bilt-related account), not directly from you. Some landlords notice this and ask about it. You can straightforward explain that you used a payment service to send the rent. There's nothing wrong with this, and landlords have no reason to object — they get the money either way.
Bilt sends you a confirmation email when the payment is submitted and another when it's been delivered to your landlord's account. Keep these confirmations in case you ever need proof that you paid.
How Bilt reports to credit bureaus
Bilt reports your rent payment to three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These are the same companies that track credit card payments, loan payments, and other financial behavior. When Bilt reports that you paid rent on time, that information goes into your credit file.
The payment only gets reported if it arrives on time. If you pay late, Bilt will not report it as a positive payment, and your landlord may report it as a late payment (though most landlords don't report to credit bureaus). This means Bilt helps your credit only when you pay on schedule.
It typically takes 30 to 45 days after your payment is delivered for it to show up on your credit report. You won't see an when ready boost to your credit score, but over time, a pattern of on-time rent payments can raise your score noticeably — especially if you have little other credit history.
Fees and costs to know about
Bilt itself is free to use. However, the way you pay Bilt may have a cost. If you pay with a credit card, Bilt charges a fee of around 1% to 2% of your rent amount. On a $1,500 rent payment, that's $15 to $30 per month. Paying with a debit card or bank account transfer has no fee.
Some people decide the credit card fee is worth it because the credit card rewards (cash back, points) can offset the fee. For example, if your credit card gives 2% cash back and Bilt charges 1.5%, you come out slightly ahead. But this only works if you can pay off the credit card balance in full each month — if you carry a balance and pay interest, the math works against you.
If your landlord doesn't have a bank account and Bilt has to mail a check instead, there may be an additional fee for that service. Ask Bilt about the cost before you choose that option.
What happens if you pay late or miss a payment
If you submit a payment after the due date, Bilt will still send it to your landlord, but it won't be reported to credit bureaus as an on-time payment. Your landlord may charge you a late fee according to your lease. Depending on how late the payment is and your landlord's policies, they may also report the late payment to credit bureaus themselves, which would hurt your credit score.
If you miss a payment entirely, Bilt doesn't automatically charge you or send a payment on your behalf. You have to manually submit each payment. This means you're responsible for remembering to pay — Bilt doesn't set up automatic recurring payments the way some other services do. Some landlords use Bilt's bill pay feature to remind you, but you still have to authorize each payment.
If you fall behind on rent, contact your landlord as soon as possible. Explain the situation and ask about a payment plan. Many landlords prefer to work something out rather than file for eviction, especially if you've been a reliable tenant before.
Alternatives to Bilt for building credit with rent
Experian Boost is another service that reports rent payments to credit bureaus. Unlike Bilt, Experian Boost works by connecting to your bank account and looking back at rent payments you've already made. It can add up to 24 months of past rent history to your credit report. There's no fee, and you don't have to change how you pay your landlord.
RentBureau and LevelCredit are similar services that report rent to credit bureaus. Each has slightly different features and coverage, so it's worth comparing them if building credit through rent is important to you.
If you don't use any of these services, you can still build credit through other means: a secured credit card (which requires a cash deposit), becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card, or taking out a credit-builder loan from a credit union or online lender. These routes don't involve rent, but they do build credit history over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my landlord have to accept Bilt payments?
Your landlord doesn't need to do anything special to accept a Bilt payment — they receive it as a normal bank transfer. However, if your lease specifies a particular payment method (like check or money order only), you should ask your landlord's permission before using Bilt. Most landlords have no objection once they understand the money arrives the same way.
Will using Bilt hurt my credit if I pay late?
A late Bilt payment won't be reported to credit bureaus as a positive payment, so it won't help your credit. If your landlord reports the late payment separately, it could hurt your credit. The best approach is to pay on time — if you're struggling to make rent, contact your landlord before the due date rather than paying late through Bilt.
Can I use Bilt if I don't have a lease?
Bilt requires proof of a lease agreement to verify you actually rent from the person you're paying. If you have a verbal lease or no written agreement, you may not be able to use Bilt. Talk to your landlord about getting a written lease, which protects both of you anyway.
How much does Bilt cost?
Bilt itself is free. If you pay with a credit card, Bilt charges around 1% to 2% of your rent. Paying with a debit card or bank account has no fee. Some people find the credit card fee worth it if their card offers rewards that exceed the fee amount.
Does Bilt work in every state?
Bilt operates in most states, but coverage varies. Check Bilt's website to see if they serve your state and your landlord's location. If they don't, Experian Boost or another rent-reporting service may be available in your area.