Bilt turns your rent payment into a credit card transaction that builds your credit history
Bilt is a credit card issued by Deserve Inc. that lets you pay rent using a credit card instead of a check, bank transfer, or money order. When you use Bilt to pay rent, the card charges your landlord or property manager directly. That charge appears on your credit report as a credit card purchase, which means on-time rent payments can help build your credit score the same way paying other bills on time does.
The card itself has no annual fee and no interest if you pay the full balance by the due date. The catch: your landlord has to accept credit card payments, and most landlords do not. Bilt handles the acceptance side by partnering with property management platforms and by offering landlords a way to receive the payment without paying the typical 2–3% credit card processing fee themselves.
Your rent payment goes from your Bilt card to the landlord's account, usually within one to three business days. The charge appears on your Bilt statement and your credit report. You then pay your Bilt bill like any other credit card—by the due date each month.
Key Takeaways
- Bilt is a credit card that lets you pay rent as a credit card charge, which reports to credit bureaus and can build your credit score if you pay on time.
- Your landlord must accept credit card payments or use a property management platform that partners with Bilt for the payment to work.
- Rent paid through Bilt reaches your landlord in one to three business days, and you pay the Bilt card bill by the due date like any other credit card.
- You pay no annual fee and no interest if you pay the full balance by the due date, but carrying a balance will accrue interest at the card's variable rate.
- Bilt reports your payment history to all three credit bureaus, so late or missed payments will hurt your credit score the same way they would with any credit card.
How your rent payment reaches your landlord
When you use Bilt to pay rent, you initiate the payment through the Bilt app or website. You enter your landlord's information—usually their name, address, and the amount—and Bilt charges your card. The payment then travels through the card network to your landlord's bank account or to a property management platform if your landlord uses one.
The timeline depends on how your landlord receives payments. If your landlord has set up direct deposit or bank transfer with Bilt, the money typically arrives within one to three business days. If your landlord uses a property management company that partners with Bilt, the payment may arrive faster because it stays within Bilt's network. Some property managers can receive the payment same-day.
You should confirm with your landlord that they accept Bilt payments before you set up your first payment. Not all landlords do, and some may not know they can. If your landlord does not accept credit card payments directly, Bilt cannot process the payment.
What happens to your credit report when you pay rent with Bilt
Bilt reports your rent payment to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—the three major credit bureaus. This is the main reason to use Bilt: rent payments normally do not appear on your credit report at all, so paying rent on time does not help your score. With Bilt, an on-time rent payment counts as an on-time credit card payment, which helps your score.
The amount you pay also affects your credit utilization ratio, which is the percentage of your available credit you are using. If your Bilt credit limit is $10,000 and you charge $1,500 in rent, your utilization is 15%. Lower utilization is better for your score. Once you pay the bill, the utilization drops back to zero.
Late or missed payments also report to the bureaus and will damage your score. If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Bilt will report it as a late payment, and your score will drop. This is the same as any credit card: the payment history is the largest factor in your credit score, so Bilt's reporting cuts both ways.
Fees and interest you may owe
Bilt charges no annual fee. If you pay your full balance by the due date, you pay no interest. The card's interest rate is variable and depends on your creditworthiness, but it typically ranges from 18% to 27% APR if you carry a balance.
If you pay only part of your rent by the due date, interest accrues on the unpaid portion starting immediately. For example, if you charge $1,500 in rent and pay only $1,000 by the due date, the remaining $500 will accrue interest at your card's APR. Interest compounds daily, so the longer you carry a balance, the more you owe.
Bilt does not charge late fees, but your payment must arrive by the due date to avoid a late payment report to the credit bureaus. If you are short on cash, paying even a small amount by the due date is better than missing the deadline entirely, because it prevents the late payment from reporting.
When Bilt payments might not work
Your landlord must accept credit card payments for Bilt to work. Many individual landlords and small property management companies do not. If your landlord uses a major property management platform—such as AppFolio, Buildium, or Rent Manager—there is a better chance they can accept Bilt payments, because Bilt has partnerships with these platforms.
Even if your landlord accepts credit cards in general, they may not accept Bilt specifically. Some landlords use their own payment portal or a third-party processor that does not include Bilt. In that case, you would need to use whatever payment method your landlord offers.
If your landlord does not accept Bilt, you can still build credit through rent payments using other services like Experian Boost, which lets you add utility and phone bills to your credit report. But Bilt is the only major credit card designed specifically for rent.
How Bilt compares to other rent payment methods
| Payment Method | Reports to Credit Bureaus | Cost to You | Speed to Landlord | Landlord Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilt Credit Card | Yes, as credit card payment | No fee if paid in full; interest if you carry a balance | 1–3 business days | Landlord must accept credit cards |
| ACH Bank Transfer | No | Usually free | 1–3 business days | Most landlords accept |
| Check | No | Cost of check or mail | 3–7 business days | Most landlords accept |
| Money Order | No | $1–$5 per order | 1–3 business days | Most landlords accept |
| Landlord's Payment Portal | No | Varies; may charge processing fee | Same-day to 3 business days | Landlord must offer it |
Bilt is the only method that builds your credit, but it only works if your landlord accepts credit cards. If your landlord does not, ACH transfer is usually the fastest and cheapest alternative. Checks and money orders are slower and cost more, but they work with almost any landlord.
What to do if your Bilt payment fails or is late
If your Bilt payment fails—because your card was declined, your landlord's bank rejected it, or a technical error occurred—Bilt will notify you through the app or email. Check your Bilt account immediately to see the reason for the failure. Common reasons include insufficient credit limit, a problem with your landlord's bank account information, or a network error.
If the payment failed because of your card, you can try again once you have resolved the issue (such as paying down your balance to increase available credit). If the failure was on your landlord's side, contact them to confirm their bank account details are correct in the Bilt system.
If your payment is late—meaning it does not reach your landlord by the due date—Bilt will report it as a late payment to the credit bureaus 30 days after the due date. Contact your landlord immediately to explain the delay and ask them to hold off on filing for eviction or charging a late fee while you resolve it. Then contact Bilt support to find out why the payment was delayed and whether it can be expedited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bilt charge my landlord a fee to accept the payment?
Bilt absorbs the credit card processing fee so your landlord receives the full amount you paid. This is how Bilt encourages landlords to accept the card. Your landlord does not pay a fee, and you do not pay a fee if you pay your balance in full by the due date.
Can I use Bilt to pay for utilities or other bills besides rent?
No. Bilt is designed only for rent payments. You cannot use it to pay utilities, insurance, or other bills. If you want to build credit through other payments, you can use Experian Boost to add utility and phone bills to your credit report, though that works differently than Bilt.
What if I pay my rent late with Bilt—will my landlord evict me?
A late Bilt payment is treated the same as a late rent payment in any other form. Your landlord can still file for eviction if you are late, regardless of the payment method. Bilt does not protect you from eviction; it only reports your payment history to credit bureaus. Pay on time to avoid both credit damage and eviction risk.
Can I use Bilt if I rent from a large apartment complex?
It depends on whether the complex uses a property management platform that partners with Bilt. Many large complexes use AppFolio, Buildium, or similar platforms that do accept Bilt. Contact your property manager or check your lease documents to see which payment system they use, then ask whether Bilt is an option.
What happens to my Bilt account if I move and stop paying rent?
Your Bilt card remains open and active. If you do not use it to pay rent at your new place, you can use it for other purchases or close it. If you have an unpaid balance, you still owe it and will accrue interest until you pay it off. Closing the card does not erase the debt.